Current News

Wanda Price, friend to generations of CBU students, dies at 87

Wanda Price (center) visits with students at the 2013 Homecoming Block Party at California Baptist University.

Wanda Price, a beloved former California Baptist University employee, passed away Dec. 7, at the age of 87.

Price’s connection to the university dates back to 1965 when Price joined the staff at California Baptist College as the nursery director. Over the next several decades, her positions included student center director, secretary to the Registrar, assistant bookkeeper, manager of the café named in her honor (Wanda’s) and alumni consultant.

Over her many years of service, she earned the love and respect of both students and faculty, who presented her with numerous awards, including “Definite Contribution to College Life,” and “Outstanding Staff Member.” She had the reputation of having an excellent memory with her ability to remember students’ names and their student ID numbers.

While Price served in many positions through the years, it was her interaction with the students that stood out.

“She would just step up wherever she was needed or wanted,” said Gail Ronveaux, director of alumni and parent relations. “People would stop her in the hallway and say ‘my grandma just died’ and she would pray with them. Or they would tell her that they had financial difficulties and she would introduce them to someone who might be able to help.”

“She was important to a lot of people because of the relationships she built with them,” Carrie Smith, alumni and parent communications manager, said. “She was a surrogate mom and grandma to a lot of these students. She was the one a lot of them went to when they had a problem. She was the listening ear.”

An article in The Banner newspaper in April 1989 told of Price learning to skateboard. She also ran a 10K race in Death Valley in 1985. Her favorite hobbies included reading, jogging, flying a kite, and watching baseball; she was an Angels fan.

In 1991, when a new snack bar opened in the basement of the James Building, it was named Wanda’s Place, in her honor. The café was relocated to the Eugene and Billie Yeager Center when it opened in 2003.

In 2008, an endowed scholarship fund was established to honor Price’s 80th birthday. The funds provide scholarship support for eligible CBU students demonstrating financial need.

In 2010, she was recognized as the longest-serving employee in CBU history. CBU president Dr. Ronald L. Ellis presented her with a leaf from a 1611 edition King James Bible containing her favorite scripture passage (Philippians 1:3). Ellis also gave her a baseball that was signed by a professional baseball player in 1965, the same year she came to work at CBU.

Price worked at CBU until the spring of 2011.

“If I could instill anything into students it would be: learn to love and take the risks,” Price told The Banner in 1989. “Learn to love one another, and it would eliminate 99 percent of our problems. And always remember, it’s no fun hugging yourself!”

Travis Ryan encourages reverence for God during worship

“My prayer today is that our worship of God would be real and honest; that it wouldn’t be caught up in the lights or the production,” Travis Ryan, a California Baptist University alumnus, told a chapel audience on Dec. 7. “He wants your heart, and He wants your attention…let’s be moved in our worship to give God our attention and affection. He deserves it.”

Ryan is a multi-Dove Award nominee, singer/writer and a senior worship pastor at LifePoint Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. Ryan led the chapel audience members in worship and spoke about the importance of genuine reverence toward God.

After reading Revelation 4 and describing God’s throne, Ryan told the audience that one way or another everyone will worship God.

“Did you see that picture (in Revelation 4)? Did you behold the glory of God?” Ryan said. “One day we all will give Him that attention, one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.”

Ryan encouraged the audience to stand and give glory and affection to God.

“Love always comes with a price. God himself sacrificed incredibly,” Ryan said. “God left all splendor and glory to put on human skin. That is what we celebrate at this time and in this season.”

Engineering hosts “Robot’s Got Talent” event

Engineering students at California Baptist University showcase their robot that dips Oreo cookies into milk at the Robot’s Got Talent event.

Engineering students displayed their robots’ talents at California Baptist University on Dec. 6 during a “Robot’s Got Talent” event hosted by the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering. The annual event featured the top eight teams in a semester-long competition to construct robots designed to perform specific tasks.

Teams comprising undergraduate students enrolled in Introduction to Engineering courses designed robots from scratch, aiming to satisfy the twofold criteria of creativity and functionality, said Dr. Matthew Rickard, professor and chair of engineering at CBU.

“Students start off with a blank slate. It’s a wide open venue as to what students can create. This format really requires the students to design something unique and that can be a challenge,” Rickard said. “The exciting thing is that students in software engineering get to try out their programming skills, electrical engineering students get to deal with electric motors, and there is also mechanical design as well as structures within the robot.”

At the event, teams presented robots that performed various tasks such as writing, surveillance, cleaning, tossing objects, and even dipping an Oreo cookie into milk.

Members of the winning team—Dwayne Symonette, Jorda Miller, Marleigh Saenz and Jason Quijano—designed and programmed their robot to cross over a 5-inch gap. Their design used three motors to power the robot and a two-touch sensor to guide the robot and also activate a platform (underneath the robot) that extended over the gap, allowing the robot to cross to the other side.

CBU hosts Spanish spelling bee for local high schoolers

The top three finishers at the Spanish Spelling Bee at California Baptist University (from left) Emily Gonzalez, Rodrigo Amaya and Benjamin Martinez proudly display their event prizes.

More than 140 high school students competed in a Spanish Spelling Bee at California Baptist University on Dec. 3.

CBU’s College of Arts and Sciences and Omega Phi, the CBU chapter of the National Spanish Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi, organized the event for high schoolers in or near the Inland Empire area. Judges for the event included CBU faculty.

In the final round, students tackled words such as “machihembrar” (dovetail) and “incognoscible” (unknowable). The top three finishes in the competition received cash prizes to be used for educational expenses. In first place was Benjamin Martinez from Villa Park High School (Orange, California), who earned $400. In second place was Rodrigo Amaya from Perris High (Perris, California), who won $300. Emily Gonzalez, from La Sierra High School (Riverside), finished in third place and earned $200.

“Our motivation behind hosting the event is to showcase the Spanish language and CBU,” said Dr. Noé Ruvalcaba, assistant professor of Spanish at CBU.

The event also gave high school students the experience of visiting a university campus and meeting Hispanic professionals, Ruvalcaba said.

“Many of our participants will be the first in their families to attend college,” Ruvalcaba observed.

CBU community observes “Autumn Arbor Day” activities

Seventy-five students, faculty and staff at California Baptist University observed Autumn Arbor Day with a campus service project on Dec. 3.

Participants were assigned to teams to help trim citrus trees around the historic Hawthorne House and to lay down new mulch.

Amy Graham, a biology freshman, said the event was a new experience for her.

“I have never had the opportunity to take care of trees,” Graham said. “I just really enjoyed giving back to the community. I want to make my campus beautiful and want to have an impact.”

Eric Lewis, an environmental science senior, enjoyed the camaraderie between students during the event.

“This event will help make the campus look better and is a great way of serving others, and we also get to build relationships with other students,” Lewis said. “Stuff like this builds character.”

John Fyne-Nsofor, an environmental science senior, said CBU does a good job of being environmentally conscious.

“When CBU heard about the drought [in California], they took out a lot of the plants and changed their watering habits. They then put in more drought-resistant plants, and they are installing more mulch instead of grass,” Fyne-Nsofor said.

CBU is one of 11 higher education institutions in California designated as a Tree Campus USA college by a program implemented by the Arbor Day Foundation.

CBU names Paul Eldridge VP for University Advancement

Paul Eldridge, J.D. has been named Vice President for University Advancement for California Baptist University, President Ronald L. Ellis, announced. Eldridge is scheduled to begin his new duties Jan. 11, 2017.

Ellis said the selection of Eldridge culminates a lengthy national search.

“Paul Eldridge brings a strong commitment to Christian higher education and a proven track record of development,” Ellis said. “We look forward to welcoming him to the CBU leadership team.”

Eldridge comes to CBU from Colorado Christian University where he has served as vice president of development and alumni relations since May 2011. He previously was senior director of development and planned giving at John Brown University for more than eight years.

The move to CBU will be a homecoming of sorts for Eldridge, who practiced law in Southern California prior to his work in development and planned giving.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from John Brown University, a Master of Arts degree from Simon Greenleaf University and a Juris Doctor degree from Trinity Law School.

Eldridge and his wife, Laurie, have been married for 24 years and have three daughters.

Eldridge will succeed Dr. Art Cleveland, who retired last April after nearly a decade at CBU, including more than four years at the helm of the University Advancement division.

CBU volunteers to serve in 22 countries on 36 teams in 2017

Team leaders and students get to know each other at the Office of Mobilization’s Team Reveal event on Dec. 1.

Anticipation filled the air on Dec. 1 as several hundred California Baptist University students packed the gym at the College of Health Science for Team Reveal—a time when the Office of Mobilization reveals which volunteer teams the students will serve on.

“The position that you’re in is perfect for what God has in store for you,” Jeff Lewis, director of Mobilization, told the students.

Next year will mark the 21st year of global outreach by students, staff and faculty members. In 2017, 335 students and team leaders will comprise 36 teams for International Service Projects and Summer of Service. The teams will serve in 22 countries.

Lewis noted the theme for the 2017 service projects is “Insanity,” which corresponds with the theme verse Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ.”

“That would seem totally insane to a world that says no, the way you make much of life is make much of yourself,” Lewis said. “But we realize as followers of Christ, the way you find joy in life is making much of Him and His purpose.”

Students later met with their fellow team members and learned where they would serve.

Ken Sanford, adjunct professor of education, will be leading his eighth team.

“I get so blessed by being involved with these students who are willing to do this,” said Sanford, whose team is going to East Asia. “God has put me in this position to mentor students and help them have the experience of going overseas to do a task and share their faith.”

In the past 20 years, CBU has sent out 479 teams to 58 countries. Before leaving for their fields of service, students participate in 75 hours of training half of which takes place during Intensive Training Weekend. Additionally, teams receive weekly training for 15 weeks, covering topics including culture shock, spiritual warfare and specific customs.

CBU celebrates Christmas season traditions with tree lighting

Students, faculty and staff ushered in the holiday season at the annual California Baptist University Christmas event on the Front Lawn on Dec. 1.

“This is a chance for the CBU community to come together and celebrate the Christmas holiday and experience some of the special traditions we hold for the season,” said Kristin Waters, director of campus activities in Community Life.

The event, attended by approximately 2,000 people, was organized by Community Life and the Associated Students of California Baptist University (ACSBU). This year the event aimed to focus on the traditions of the season, said Makenna Lammons, ASCBU president.

“We want to zero in on the reason for the season,” Lammons said. “It’s a more intimate feel. We want the focus to be, we’re lighting the Christmas tree, we’re celebrating Jesus’ birth.”

Attendees warmed up with hot cider and cocoa on the chilly evening while the chapel band performed, and CBU President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis read from Luke 2, which records the birth of Jesus. Then a School of Music choir sang “Silent Night” as people lit their candles, which they had received earlier. All the lights went out and then the countdown to the Christmas tree lighting occurred.

After that, attendees decorated gift tags, signed letters to military troops, played games, watched the classic movie “White Christmas” and enjoyed treats.

“It gets you in the Christmas spirit,” Sandy said. “All in all, it’s just a great CBU tradition.”

Madison Taylor, a journalism junior, came with friends to get a picture next to the tree.

“I think it brings all of us together, and it’s a great way to relieve ourselves from all that stress (of school work) and just enjoy some time off,” Taylor said.

Navy SEAL shares his transition into God’s army at CBU chapel

“He forgave me of so much… I want to be a part of [His] army,” Chad Williams, a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran told a California Baptist University chapel audience on Nov. 30. “The whole point of life is more than just knowing God. We’re in His army, we’re to make him known.”

Becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL was one of the most fulfilling moments of his life, Williams said. But another—unexpected—emotion shortly followed.

“What I didn’t expect, that in the same 24-hour period, it became one of the most deflating, downward times of my life. [At the time] I couldn’t understand why,” said Williams, now an author and speaker.

Adding to his misery, days before Williams was to report to training, he learned a former SEAL, who was a friend and mentor, was killed in an ambush in Fallujah, Iraq.

“I felt like I was better off not being a SEAL,” Williams said. “Then at least I had something to drive me.”

Williams would eventually learn that reaching a goal did not mean he would have lasting satisfaction. That type of peace, he said, can only come through a relationship with Jesus.

Williams shared how he often got into trouble while on military leave to the point that even his family became afraid of him. To ease their concerns, he agreed to go to church with them. He attended a service where Pastor Greg Laurie was speaking on II Kings 5 and Naaman, an army commander who had leprosy. Naaman was a successful commander, but under the armor, he was wasting away.

Williams said he could relate to that.

“What type of man, what type of woman are you on the outside in front of your friends?” Williams asked. “Who are you when you’re in your room all by yourself and all you’re left with is your own thoughts. I didn’t like that person. But I got this front, this thing that I put on, just like Naaman, the armor.”

As Naaman was told to wash in the river seven times to be healed, Williams realized Jesus would forgive him and clean him from his sin, Williams said.

“Jesus takes our sin upon himself so we can be lavished by God’s grace and mercy,” Williams said.

Foodology opens as newest dining option at CBU

California Baptist University continues to add to its top-rated dining options, with the addition of Foodology, a modern, urban decor eatery that offers a variety of dishes.

Open weekdays and located on the College of Health Science campus, the menu consists of handcrafted salads with homemade dressings, homemade chips, artisan sandwiches and burgers. Foodology will serve Starbucks coffee as well as a variety of specialty coffee options. For those in a rush, there will be “Grab and Go” options.

“The new addition to our food choices continues the tradition of offering a diversity of food choices at CBU,” said Kipp Dougherty, director of food services. “Foodology is already a hit; students are coming from all over to experience Foodology.”

Niche.com has ranked California Baptist University No. 2 among California universities for best campus food and No. 8 in the nationwide listing. The website ranks more than a thousand colleges across the U.S. based on meal plan cost and more than 470,000 opinions from 64,000 students. A high ranking indicates the college offers a variety of healthy, quality food options that accommodate various dietary preferences and that the students are happy with the quality of campus food.

Dining services for CBU is managed by Provider Food Services, which offers a variety of choices through the Alumni Dining Commons, Brisco’s, Chick-fil-A, El Monte Grille and Wanda’s.

Lecture talks of factors for successful international adoptions

“We try to help the parents feel empowered, because empowerment is the key in this whole process,” Dr. Gary Feldman told a California Baptist University audience, on the topic of international adoption. “The key issue is being prepared. The more prepared parents are about any possible condition, the better the outcome.”

Feldman, who specializes in international adoption medicine, spoke as part of the School of the Behavioral Science’s Culture and Justice Lecture Series on Nov. 17. He is the medical director of the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. Feldman also provides services in the pre-adoptive and post-adoptive stages.

“Pro-active parenting is much better than reactive parenting because it puts you in control,” Feldman said. “If you’re a reactive parent, you essentially are defensive and you’re reacting. You’re not making progress. If you’re pro-active, you have a greater chance of making progress.”

Feldman sees his role, and other doctors like him, as helping parents seeking adoption to become successful parents. In order to do this, the adoptive parents need to know what the potential struggles the child may have and then become educated to make appropriate decisions, Feldman said.

Children adopted internationally can have issues with health, development or attachment. Prospective parents may not receive an accurate or complete medical history. That is why it is important for individuals considering international adoption to be educated about overall health issues.

Additionally, he advises parents that when they bring a child home, they make the transition as calm as possible. Even a bedroom full of Disney characters may be too much for a child who spent years in an orphanage, he said.

“The kids are coming from Mars to Earth,” Feldman said. “They don’t understand your language, they don’t understand your culture, so there is a lot of transition that has to take place.”

Panel discusses “Mystic” exhibit at CBU Gallery

A panel of five art enthusiasts spoke about the exhibit, “Into the Mystic,” at the CBU Gallery and the influence art can have on a person on Nov. 16.

Panelists included Drew Oberjuerge, director of the Riverside Art Museum (RAM) and four California Baptist University faculty. The exhibit represents an inspiration of spiritual themes, visionary imagery and drawing insights from transcendent encounters.

Transcendence means the existence or experience beyond the normal or the physical level, said Dr. Melissa Croteau, associate professor film studies and literature at CBU.

Dr. Katie Papineau, assistant professor of architecture and art history, said everyone is searching for something, a truth, answers to life’s mysteries, and the search for something is made visible through art at this exhibit.

“On the surface…you can understand what you’re looking at,” Papineau said, referring to the art. “But the layers are deeper, asking us to contemplate the mystic in our own lives, to ask deeper questions.”

Many people are fearful to come into a museum and talk about their interpretation of a piece of art, Oberjuerge said.

“People have to start with their own experience,” Oberjuerge said. “I’m a firm believer in aesthetic. Do you like it, do you not like it? If you like something, I would keep pursuing it.”

Dr. Scott Key, professor of philosophy, said the exhibit is an invitation for visitors to open themselves to concepts beyond the temporal.

“We are surrounded by images, but they flash before us. They influence us, but we don’t spend much time with them. This [exhibit] invites you to do much more than that and you have to,” Key said. “You have to let it speak to you and drink it in. You have to ponder, and it takes a little time.”

Events Center tower becomes the tallest structure at CBU

A new iconic symbol at California Baptist University achieved its full 100-foot height as the last portion of the Events Center north facing tower was lifted into place on Nov. 17.

Sundt Construction workers spent several hours preparing to hoist the final tower section into place. Weighing more than 6 tons, the topmost section was flown by crane and secured in place shortly after 11 a.m.

The tower is now the tallest structure on campus and is the latest milestone for the new Events Center arena that is scheduled to open in April 2017, in time for spring commencement activities.

“Watching the tower go up is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Steve Smith, director of

Facilities and Planning Services, told a small audience who had gathered to watch the tower be hoisted into place.

The Events Center is being built adjacent to the CBU Recreation Center. The north-facing front entrance will be located on Lancer Lane. The design of the two-level building complements the Mission Revival architecture style that is a hallmark of the CBU campus. The centerpiece of the 153,000-square-feet building will be a more than 5,000-seat arena that will showcase some of the CBU athletics teams competing in the PacWest Conference and NCAA Division II.

Besides athletics, the arena also will provide space for CBU’s chapel program attended by nearly 5,000 students weekly during the academic year. Other uses planned for the Events Center include student orientation activities and commencement ceremonies that are held each spring and fall.

Lecturer gives look into a career as an occupational therapist

Students from the College of Health Science at California Baptist University were offered a unique perspective on what a career in occupational therapy encompasses from Dr. Bryan Gee, who is the occupational therapy program director at Idaho State University.

Gee spoke as part of the College of Health Science’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Gee said that he is often asked to differentiate between occupational therapy and physical therapy.

“One major difference is that occupational therapy rehabilitates the most intimate aspects of someone’s life.”

Occupational therapists help their patients with daily activities, Gee said. Occupational therapists are also interested in patients developing a life of play and leisure.

“We focus on accessibility. We want to make sure everybody can do anything regardless of a patient’s condition,” he said.

Gee gave an example of how students could help at their local church as an occupational therapist.

A family that includes an autistic child can find going to church difficult, Gee said. An occupational therapist can work with the family and the pastor at a church to help create a beneficial experience by being a trained liaison.

“The clergy aren’t trained to assist children [with special needs],” he said. “As an occupational therapist, I can take the speech language pathologist with me or the behavioral specialist with me, and we can go do a consult…so the family can go to church together.”

Gee also shared how he has worked with a child who had Down Syndrome to improve the child’s muscle skills. He helped the family develop a plan that they could all participate in that would help his patient.

“Occupational therapy does a good job at addressing the whole person,” he said. “In this field you have to be comfortable addressing the intimate details of a person’s life.”

Family Updates

Fifteen CBU graphic design students participated in a Design For Good event held at CBU on Oct. 22-23. The students spent 24 continuous hours creating original branding materials for nonprofit organizations in the region. Dirk Dallas, assistant professor of graphic design, co-led the event and Michael Berger, assistant professor of graphic design, and Andrew Hochradel, adjunct professor for graphic design, were student mentors.

Dr. Robert LaChausse

Dr. Robert LaChausse, associate professor of public health, was elected in November as the chairman of the Health Evaluation Topic Interest Group for the American Evaluation Association. During the two-year term, he will lead more than 2,500 professional members and be charged with establishing professional standards and practices for the evaluation health and human service programs.

Dr. Jeff Gage

Dr. Jeff Gage, professor of nursing, co-authored an article in Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action (Fall 2016). The article was titled Applying community-based participatory research to create a diabetes prevention documentary with New Zealand Māori.

Dr. Anthony Chute

Dr. Anthony Chute, professor of church history, presented a paper at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 15-17. The name of the paper was Pastoral Advice from the Past.

Members of the CBU Investment Group student club presented investment selections for the student-managed investment fund to the Finance Program Advisory Board on Nov. 15. The advisory board provides students interaction with industry professionals and practice making professional presentations. The students pitched three stock choices, the professionals asked questions and then affirmed or voted down the choices. The students later placed the trade authorization.

Dr. Matthew Rickard, associate professor of bioengineering, Dr. Creed Jones, professor of software engineering, and four biomedical engineering students presented a paper at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in Anaheim on Nov. 11. The title of the paper was Geometric measurements of natural features at the temporal limbus in support of an image-based, real-time IOP sensing system. The presentation is the latest in the development of the CBU Glaucoma Sensor Project, in which Rickard and Jones are creating a wearable imaging system (technology-enhanced pair of eyeglass frames) that can determine eye pressure and a patient’s risk of glaucoma.

Dr. Jeff McNair, professor of education, had a book published Nov. 17. Meowoof is juvenile fiction about what it is to be different.

From left: Dr. Ronald L. Ellis and Rachael Solis

Rachael Solis, administrative assistant for Conferences and Events, was named employee of the month for December. The nomination form included the following statements: “Rachael provides consistent information, accurate communication, and thoughtful insight when assisting groups with scheduling and planning events. She’s consistently looking for ways to improve performance. Rachael is enthusiastic, able to multi-task, able to accept constructive criticism, and has a servant’s heart.”

Dr. Gretchen Bartels

Dr. Gretchen Bartels, assistant professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper at the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Conference in Pasadena on Nov. 12. The title was Digital Archives, Publishing History, and Teaching Frankenstein.

Dr. Tim Luther

Dr. Tim Luther, professor of political science, presented a paper at the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Annual Conference in Pasadena on Nov. 11. The title of the paper was Creativity, Human Solidarity, and Justice.

Marketing and Communication, School of Behavioral Sciences and the College of Health Science sponsored a corporate tree at the Festival of Trees Nov. 25-27 at the Riverside Convention Center. The theme of the tree was “Wise Men Still Seek Him” and it was designed to show the majesty of the manger. The tree was decorated by Janet Crate, special events and volunteer coordinator in University Advancement, and Daphne Paramo, department secretary for kinesiology, who also painted the Live Your Purpose “scroll.” The tree will be on display through the Christmas season at the CBU Gallery on Main Street in Downtown Riverside.

From left: Stephen Dueck and Isaak Juntunen at the national Chem-E-Car competition.

CBU chemical engineering students received recognition for the team’s first showing at the national Chem-E-Car competition on Nov. 13. The team won the Golden Tire Award, which is presented to the car deemed most unique in design by competing teams. The team also was awarded third place for a poster the team designed that describes how the car operates, and the Chem-E-Car earned a top 20 finish in the competition. Stephen Dueck, a chemical engineering major, is featured in the official Chem-E-Car Competition video talking about CBU’s team car.

From left to right: Students Brooke Villegas, Stacy Hernandez and Yareli Bramble-Salazar

Kristi Lippire, assistant professor of visual art, and her Advanced Art Class had their sculpture unveiled Nov. 25 for the Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside. The sculpture is on display through the end of January outside the Riverside Art Museum. The students in the class are: Yareli Bramble-Salazar, Tawny Frazen, Sabrina Hagan, Stacy Hernandez, Marlisa Morales, Magdalene Nsek, Lauren Sankey, Gloriana Sandoval, Amy Scharz and Brooke Villegas.

Dr. Virginia Hart-Kepler

Dr. Virginia Hart-Kepler, nursing lecturer, successfully defended her dissertation at University of San Diego on Nov. 29. It was titled “How do Mexican Immigrants Make Decisions About Self-Management of Diabetes 2?”

Dr. Dominick Sturz

Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, wrote a chapter in Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Health: A Multicultural Perspective (Jossey-Bass). The title of the chapter is The Role of Spirituality in Healing. This textbook is written with focus for current and future healthcare practitioners.

Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, was named as honorary technical director for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, on Nov. 28. The appointment allows the center to recognize, honor and harness the knowledge of community leaders to further the warfare center’s strategic initiatives and bring greater understanding of the warfare center’s role for the Navy and Marine Corps to the community.

Dr. Erin Smith

Dr. Kyle Stewart

Dr. Jeff Mooney

Dr. Jeff Mooney, professor of Old Testament, Dr. Kyle Stewart, assistant professor of physics, and Dr. Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology, participated in a faculty panel for a discussion on the Test of Faith movie by the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. CBU’s Science and Religion Club hosted the event on Nov. 29. The attendees watched part of the movie and then the panel answered questions.

Dr. Mark Anklam

Dr. Mario Oyanader

Dr. Xueyan Zhao

Dr. Mark Gordon

Dr. Mark Anklam, professor of chemical engineering, gave a presentation, Stealing a Freshman-Level Separations Project, at the AIChE Annual Meeting Nov. 13-18 in San Francisco. He co-authored the paper with Dr. Mario Oyanader, associate professor chemical engineering, Dr. Xueyan (Sarah) Zhao, assistant professor of chemical engineering, Dr. Mark Gordon, assistant professor of bioengineering, and Dr. Valerie Young from Ohio University. Oyanader also co-authored six posters with students—Stephen Dueck, Steffano Oyanader, Robin Smallwood, Isaak Juntunen, Joshua Park and Christopher Fernandes—who presented the posters at the meeting. The papers were: Effect Of Electrical Field And Radius Ratio On The Effective Angular Velocity For Couette And Poiseuille Flows;Molecular Effective Dispersion Under Electrical Field and Channel Curving Effects for Couette and Poiseuille Flows;Meso-Microscopic Analysis of Chemo-Electro-Thermotherapy in Capillary Systems;Micro-Molecular Scale Modelling of Electro-Chemotherapy;A Framework for Undergraduate Research on Chemo-Electro-Thermotherapy; and Dynamic Modeling of Fluid Flow Fractionation Under Couette and Poiseuille Flows.

The CBU PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) chapter hosted a networking event on Nov. 16 to introduce industry public relations professionals to students. Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations for Online and Professional Studies, Victoria Brodie, visiting professor of public relations, Robbie Silver (’12), and other PRSA members coached and provided tips to students. Over 50 students attended the event.

Dr. Kenneth Minesinger

Dr. Kenneth Minesinger, associate professor of law for Online and Professional Studies, served as a reviewer for the current issue of the State Bar of California’s Business Law News (Issue No. 3, 2016). The executive board of the business law section also chose him to serve as editor in chief for the 2016-2017 term. On a separate note, he also was appointed to the board of directors of the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation as treasurer for a one-year term.

Heather Ontiveros, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, and Jennifer Zamora, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, helped organize SoCal HEAL, an inter-professional education event, on Nov. 4 held at The Grove Community Church in Riverside. Thirty CBU students were among the almost 400 students from six different health care educational institutions attended. The goals were to dispel stereotypes, define healthcare and foster inter-professional communication skills and team skills that will benefit healthcare recipients in the future.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis

CBU President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis delivered the keynote address at the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce “Good Morning Riverside” gathering Dec. 8. His presentation was titled CBU Update: A Growing Legacy of Excellence and Success. The event was held in the Grand Parisian Ballroom of the Mission Inn.

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, left, and Dr. Sandra Roma, right

Dr. Sandra Romo, assistant professor of communication for Online and Professional Studies, and Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations for Online and Professional Services, participated in the Colton Joint Unified School District coats drive with Girl Scout Troop 960. Romo and Pearson are co-leaders of the troop.

Christopher W. Flores

Christopher W. Flores, 7, son of Dr. William Flores, associate professor of Spanish, and Ruth Flores, visiting professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, won a first place prize at the National Elementary (K-6) Chess Championship last month. The win allowed him to be listed by the U.S. Chess Federation as top player in the category age 7 and under.

Current News

CBU Jazz Band performs concert “under the stars”

The sounds of swing music and the blues filled Stamps Courtyard as the California Baptist University Jazz Band performed an outdoor concert on Nov. 14.

Under the unusually large “supermoon,” students, staff, faculty and family members came out on a cool and crisp fall evening to enjoy “Jazz Under the Stars IV.”

“We have success in reaching more CBU students with our music by performing these outdoor concerts on campus,” said Guy Holliday, assistant professor of music and director of the Jazz Band. “We love to share our music with as many people as possible.”

The band performed a variety of styles, including bebop, Latin, funk and fusion. It also played highlights from the fall theatre musical, “The 1940s Radio Hour.” The musical featured the Jazz Band on stage accompanying singers performing music from the Swing Era of the 1930s and ’40s. For the jazz concert, singers performed several numbers from the show, including “Love Is Here to Stay” and “Ain’t She Sweet.”

The concert is offered to the CBU community for a variety of reasons, Holliday said, including that jazz is fun, creative to play and it is an American art form.

“We believe these gifts and talents come from God. We want to use them well and play with excellence as an act of worship,” Holliday said.

Engineering club impresses at first national Chem-E-Car contest

Chemical engineering students from California Baptist University received recognition for the team’s first-ever showing at the national Chem-E-Car competition on Nov. 13.

The team won the Golden Tire Award, which is presented to the car deemed most unique in design by competing teams. Additionally, the team was awarded third place for a poster the team designed that describes how the car operates. Furthermore, CBU’s Chem-E-Car earned a top 20 finish in the competition.

The Chem-E-Car competition, which took place in San Francisco, featured 41 teams, including 10 international teams.

The annual competition pitted universities’ American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) clubs against each other. The teams designed and constructed cars powered with a chemical energy source. In the competition, the car is tasked to carry a specified load over a given distance. In April, the CBU team placed third in the regional competition, which qualified the team for the national competition.

The finish is a great showing for CBU’s chemical engineering program, said Dr. Mark Anklam, professor of chemical engineering and chair of the program.

“This competition represents a great way for students to get involved with a project and have fun applying principles learned in the classroom,” Anklam said. “This can be a great draw for prospective students.”

CBU community packs shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

Christmas charity was on the minds of California Baptist University students, faculty, staff and their families on Nov. 10 as they worked in groups to pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (OCC).

“The essence of the event is to bring together the CBU Family to pack boxes for children who live overseas and may not be getting a gift this year,” said Julie Dobbins, director of Compassion and Women’s Ministries at CBU and event organizer.

OCC is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that has delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children affected by war, poverty, natural disasters and other crises. The gift boxes have reached approximately 150 countries and territories since 1993.

More than 1,000 individuals packed the CBU Recreation Center gym to fill more than 800 boxes with items such as hygiene products, clothes, school supplies and toys. Volunteers also had the opportunity to write a special message on a card for the child who receives the box.

“I just love that I have the opportunity to do this… just writing a little note and showing them there is someone out there who loves you makes me really happy,” said Alicia Williams, a nursing junior.

Earlier this year, Dobbins had the opportunity to travel to Guyana to deliver shoeboxes with OCC. She recalled how children would take time to read the personalized letter.

“It’s something that makes [the gift] very special and very personal,” Dobbins said. “It helps them see that there is someone across the world who cares about them.”

The event was a campus-wide effort. For instance, Residence Life provided donations for the shoeboxes, a FOCUS group assembled 500 boxes and the Associated Students of CBU decorated the gym and provided food for the event.

OCC ties into the vision and mission of the university, Dobbins said. Included with each box is a pamphlet, “The Greatest Gift,” that tells the story of Jesus.

“This is an opportunity for a child to hear the Gospel,” Dobbins said. “By giving them a gift, we’re able to meet a small need, and we’re hopefully opening a door to be able to talk to them about the greatest need, which is Christ.”

CBU’s “Comedy of Errors” is Shakespeare with cartoonish twist

The theatre department at California Baptist University is set to bring plenty of laughs and slapstick humor to the stage with Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors.”

Set in an Atlantic City-like world in the late 1950s, the production tells the story of two sets of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth. When one set of twins blunders into the others’ hometown and encounters the local twins’ friends and families, a series of wild mishaps and mistaken identities create a mirth-filled theatrical experience.

Frank Mihelich, assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director, described the production as having broad slapstick humor.

“The best way to describe the style of the play is a living cartoon—think Looney Tunes,” Mihelich said.

The students had to learn a physical and choreographed method of acting, he said.

Josh Hoefling, a theatre senior, plays Dromio of Syracuse and had to learn to act similarly to his “twin.”

“I love comedy… the ability to make people laugh and have fun in the show is always a wonderful experience,” Hoefling said.

Caleb Leal, a theatre sophomore, plays the twin, Dromio of Ephesus. He worked on learning the physicality of the show and matching his twin’s movements.

“The show as a whole has been a blast and is a riot,” Leal said. “I hope the audience takes the time to relax and enjoy and laugh.”

Midnight Madness kicks off basketball season at CBU

Hundreds of students packed into the Van Dyne Gym at California Baptist University to welcome the basketball season with the high-energy Midnight Madness event on Nov. 9.

Midnight Madness, one of the most popular events at CBU, had students lining up overnight Monday to secure tickets for the evening’s activities that included a concert, dunk competition, cheer routines and plenty of Lancer pride.

Lancers have many reasons to be excited about the upcoming season. The men’s squad was ranked No. 9 nationally by the Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Preseason Poll and named preseason favorite to the win the PacWest Conference. Additionally, Michael Smith, senior guard, was tabbed the Preseason Player of the Year, coming off his PacWest Player of the Year award last season. The Lancers have high expectations this year after boasting a 28-7 overall record last year, finishing with a No. 14 national ranking. CBU went to its third-straight postseason tournament last year after winning its first PacWest Tournament Championship with a 101-64 victory over rival Azusa Pacific.

The men’s team will kick off its season at home on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. against Montana State University Billings.

The women’s squad has already kicked off its season at the D2 Tipoff Classic in Orange, California, going 2-1. The Lancers were ranked No. 2 in the nation by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association prior to the start of the season. CBU went 29-3 last year and finished No. 5 nationally. This year they have also been picked to win the PacWest. Additionally, Cassidy Mihalko was named the Preseason Player of the Year. Mihalko, senior guard, is a two-time All-American, All-West Region and All-PacWest honoree.

The Lancers’ first home game is on Thursday, Nov. 17 against California State University, San Bernardino at 7 p.m.

NASA pilots talk career paths with CBU students

Two NASA pilots soared into town to address California Baptist University aviation students about their career options including one in unmanned systems on Nov. 8.

Scott Howe, a research test pilot, and Herman Posada, a research pilot, flew a NASA T-34C aircraft into the Riverside Municipal Airport to attend the event. Based out of Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, they both operate remotely piloted unmanned aircraft and mission support aircraft for NASA. The event was held in part to help promote the department of Aviation Science’s newest program—aviation unmanned systems.

Paul Haley, assistant professor of aviation science, said students are trying to determine what jobs are available. Having people who are in the industry talk to students gives them an opportunity to see what paths they can take.

“It gives the students motivation, that what they’re doing … is all for a reason,” Haley said. “It also gives them exposure to people they maybe would have never met.”

Howe attended the Air Force Academy, where he became a pilot and flew the F-15C tactical fighter aircraft. After the Air Force, he worked for a contractor before joining NASA.

“One of my favorite parts of the job is no two months are ever the same,” Howe said.

Posada, who soloed in a plane before he could drive a car, worked at General Atomics, a defense contractor, before going to NASA.

“We’re in a niche aviation,” Posada said. “Unmanned is a fascinating field.”

Brandan Walker, a flight aviation sophomore and former Army serviceman, wants to return to the Army as a flight officer. He said he could see himself working at NASA in the future.

“It was a good opportunity to see the different paths you can take,” Walker said.

CBU art students take learning to the community

With the noise of elementary school-age kids playing in the background and with an occasional ball or two bouncing near them, California Baptist University art students continued with their task at hand—painting a mural in the school’s playground.

Ten students in ART 300, Advanced Art, are creating a mural at Tomas Rivera Elementary in Riverside.

The project gives the students painting experience plus exposure to the community, said Kristi Lippire, assistant professor of visual art.

“They get to be part of the whole process,” Lippire said. “It’s one thing to be handed a design and do it, but from concept to finished product, it’s all them.”

Creighton Goodman, assistant professor of aviation flight and a parent who has children attending the school, asked Lippire if art students could create a mural. After getting the school district’s approval, the students began painting this semester.

The mural is the backdrop of a handball court. The images feature an adventure theme, which include an astronaut, a spaceship, a plane, a pirate ship, a mermaid and a sunken treasure. Each student is in charge of a section, so one of their challenges is to ensure the sections flow together, Lippire said.

The students also are busy building a sculpture for Riverside’s Festival of Lights, which is scheduled to be on display Nov. 25 – Jan. 7 outside the Riverside Art Museum (RAM).

This is the second year the class is creating a sculpture for RAM. Students are making an abstract art piece representing ice and light using wood, metal, plexiglass and lights.

The project gives them real-world experience, Lippire said. When determining what to create and how, students needed to talk about longevity, structure and mass appeal.

“It’s one thing to have an idea, it’s another thing to actually try to execute it,” Lippire said. “It’s an opportunity to expand their concepts and then the practical side of actually executing that concept.”

Lauren Sankey, a visual arts junior, said it has been fun to work on projects for the community. For the mural, she had to learn how to mix paint, for the sculpture, she learned how to drill and sand.

“It’s nice to get out of your comfort zone and do things you’re not used to,” Sankey said. “I think it’s making me a more well-rounded artist.”

Events Center to offer online ticketing through new partnership

California Baptist University entered into a multi-year ticketing partnership with TicketsWest to offer 24/7 online ticketing for events at the new Events Center. The university-wide partnership will center on developing and implementing a new ticketing system for CBU’s 5,050-seat venue slated to open in April of 2017.

Dr. Micah Parker, director of athletics, said he is thrilled with new partnership.

“TicketsWest has shown that they are among the elite ticketing partners in the country. This partnership will allow CBU to significantly expand our ticketing platform for all events on our campus, including athletic events, summer camps, graduations and theater arts,” Parker said. “With over 200 ticketed events held on campus, our fans will be able to seamlessly view and purchase tickets via their desktop, tablet, mobile device or at the new box office located at the new events center. With this partnership, the real winner will be our fans that come out to enjoy athletic and theater events on campus.”

For more information on ticketing, please contact Zachary LaGuardia, director of ticketing and sales at zlaguardia@calbaptist.edu.

Homecoming events draw large crowds to campus

Homecoming activities at California Baptist University drew an estimated 7,500 alumni and friends to campus on Nov. 4-5.

Friday evening, the annual Alumni Awards Dinner recognized several alumni: Dave King (’69), recipient of the Lancer Medal for Lifetime Achievement Award; Darrel Walker (’75), Alumnus of the Year Award; Candice Trummell (‘07), recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award; Mike McGuffee (’74), recipient of the Distinguished Service in Christian Ministry Award; and Eric McBride (’09) recipient of the Alumni Service Award.

On Saturday, the festivities shifted outside with a Block Party featuring games, live music, food, academic displays and activities for the whole family.

For Juliana O’Neal, a freshman international studies major, it might have been her first homecoming weekend but the event made her feel at home.

“The atmosphere feels like one big family here,” O’Neal said. “There’s stuff here for people of all ages to do and listening to the live music has been fun as well.”

The Christian band The Digital Age performed in the afternoon for the second annual “Zest”ival music concert.

Alumnus Nick Van Dyke (’87) said he enjoys homecoming because it reminds him of the pleasant memories he has of CBU.

“Coming back for homecoming is such a good feeling because from my experience [at CBU], this a second home for me,” Dyke said.

Grace Allen (’15) said her two years at CBU were the best years of her life.

“I found myself while I was here at CBU,” Allen said. “I got to grow a lot and learn a lot about myself and my faith in Christ, about Him and how much He loves me.”

The annual Fortuna Bowl championship games on Saturday evening drew a packed crowd of more than 5,000. Bus Drivers won the women’s game and Fruit of the Boom came out on top on the men’s side. The night also featured a firework show after the games.

Chapel kicks off homecoming weekend at CBU

California Baptist University started off Homecoming 2016 on Nov. 4 with chapel service that featured Christian band The Digital Age and Pastor Josh Daffern (’99).

The Digital Age, from Waco, Texas, performed lively worship music that got students clapping their hands and stomping their feet through several songs. Then Daffern, a pastor at MTV church in Columbus, Mississippi, shared a message on how students can have a positive influence on the future of Christianity.

Believers need to be disciples of Jesus rather than stereotypical Christians—and there is a difference, Daffern said.

“What the world needs is an uprising of disciples, people who live a radical life, who look a lot like the chief rebel and the chief instigator of our faith—Jesus,” Daffern said.

Disciples not only agree with the teachings of Jesus, they obey them, he said.

“[Jesus] said it’s not enough to agree with the words of Scripture, you have to obey them as well,” Daffern said.

Daffern challenged students to help change the perception of Christianity by living out Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, such as not judging others, turning the other cheek and praying for their enemies.

A disciple also needs to depend on the Holy Spirit, Daffern said.

“You cannot live out the Sermon on the Mount on your own power. It’s too difficult and will leave you frustrated and disillusioned,” Daffern said. “We have to learn how to depend on the Holy Spirit, like the early church depended on the Holy Spirit.”

A disciple also runs toward the messes, said Daffern.

“God doesn’t love us because we’re good. God loves us because we’re His,” Daffern said. “God has children all over this planet who are hurting … and as the hands and feet of Jesus, He wants us to run toward the messes.”

CBU alumni share experiences of joining the workforce

California Baptist University alumni offered advice on how to prepare for the workforce and what to expect after college at the “Footsteps to Follow” event on Nov. 3. The Career Center and the Alumni Relations Office at CBU organized the event.

Gouveia, a freelance artist, described how his jobs come through working hard each day.

“In school, the professor will give you an assignment and its due in two weeks and you’ll get feedback,” Gouveia said. “A lot of the times in the real world … it’s really just about putting in work day after day. The work that I’m doing now is because of the seeds I had planted two years ago, and it is now coming to fruition, so it’s really about patience.”

Panelists also stressed building connections within CBU, especially help securing internships. Coe, a speech language pathologist assistant, said he did not take advantage when professors talked of job openings.

“I didn’t take a hold of that opportunity. After I graduated I couldn’t land a job immediately,” Coe said. “I later realized that if I had taken those opportunities, I would have settled into a job (sooner) after I had graduated.”

Family Updates

Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean of the School of Behavioral Sciences, presented a workshop at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference on Nov. 2 in Rancho Mirage. The workshop was titled International Service: Pitfalls, Ethics, and Best Practices in Host Locations.

Dr. Robert G. LaChausse

Dr. Robert G. LaChausse, associate professor of public health, presented Innovative Approaches to Evaluating Implementation Fidelity in Health Programs at the American Evaluation Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 24-29. He also presented Influence of Parental Monitoring on Adolescent Drug Use at the American Public Health Association National Conference in Denver on Oct.-Nov. 2.

Dr. Gretchen Bartels

Dr. Gretchen Bartels, assistant professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper, A Little Bit of Sugar and Quite a Bit more Spice: Maggie Tulliver, Desire, Rage, and the Doll, at the North American Victorian Studies Association Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Nov. 3.

Dr. Julie Browning

Dr. Julie Browning, associate professor of accounting for Online and Professional Studies, presented at the Western Council Regional Conference of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs in San Diego on Oct. 20. Her presentation was titled Using Experiential Learning in the Classroom to Replicate Job Experience.

Dr. Trevor Gillum

Dr. Trevor Gillum, associate professor of kinesiology, and Nathan Bodell, kinesiology graduate student, had an article published in International Journal of Exercise Science (Volume 9: Issue 5). The title of the article was 90 Minutes of Moderate-Intensity Exercise does not attenuate Postprandial Triglycerides in Older Adults.

Dr. Greg Cochran

Dr. Greg Cochran, associate professor of applied theology, spoke at the NexGen Leadership Network in Sacramento on Oct. 24. His session was titled Provocative Preaching: Proclamation and Conflict in New Testament Perspective.

From left: Chris Hofschroer and Tyler Cox

Tyler Cox, director of recreation programs, and Chris Hofschroer, assistant dean of students – community life, presented at the 2016 NIRSA Region VI Conference in Riverside on Nov. 2-4. They spoke on It’s Not Just the T-Shirt – The Importance of Intramural Championships. Attendees from schools such as Stanford, UCLA, University of Arizona and other regional universities were challenged to reframe their thinking in regards to intramural championships and saw how CBU is an industry leader in student retention and alumni reconnection through intramural championship events such as Fortuna Bowl.

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations for Online and Professional Services, spoke to California Lutheran University’s PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) chapter on Nov. 8. Her talk, Personal Branding for Success after Commencement, encouraged students to research their employment options, find a mentor and complete internships.

Matthew McConnell, technical director in the School of Music, made a presentation at the ProLight + Sound convention in Shanghai on Oct. 26. He presented on Introduction to Overseas Recording Major Courses, Student Cultivation and Recording Technology.

The 16th Annual Binational Health Fair was held at the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino.

Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, served on the executive planning committee for the 16th Annual Binational Health Fair held at the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino on Oct. 23. Sturz has served on the planning committee for the last six years and fulfilled the position of coordinator for the health education presentations. The health fair kicked off the Annual Binational Health Week, which involved collaboration among more than 80 health agencies and community organizations, foreign governments, multiple universities and served approximately 2,000 participants.

Dr. Dominick Sturz

Dr. Ogbochi McKinney

Dr. Ogbochi McKinney, assistant professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper at the 150th Annual American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference held in Denver on Oct. 30-Nov. 2. The paper, Factors Associated with the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa: African immigrants’ Perceptions, was a collaborative effort between McKinney and Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies.

Dr. William Flores, associate professor of Spanish, wrote a chapter in Gabriel García Márquez in Retrospect (Lexington Books). The title of the chapter is Satire, Ecocentrism, and Luddite Discourse in One Hundred Years of Solitude: Regional Approaches for a Global Environmental Crisis.

Dr. Torria Davis

Joe Cameron

Dr. Monica O’Rourke

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, visiting professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, helped plan, organize and presided over the first Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies international webinar series hosted by CBU Online and Professional Studies on Oct 24. Joe Cameron, online learning systems administrator, and Dr. Torria Davis, instructional designer for Online and Professional Studies, assisted with the technology during the webinar. The webinar was titled Faith Integration: Teaching Integratively in Kinesiology. O’Rourke also spoke to more than 300 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students at Rialto High School in San Bernardino on Oct. 14. She shared her testimony and spoke about careers in the field of health science.

Dr. A. Louise Perkins

Students Hannah Bernal, Christopher Chen and William Ernst, working with Dr. A. Louise Perkins, professor of computer science, presented their research, Lukasiewicz Logic Examples Provide Hands-on Truth Table Exploration, at the Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research on Nov. 12 at UC Riverside.

“This new online Christmas Gift Catalog provides a convenient way for donors to learn about and support many of the exciting things that are happening at California Baptist University,” said Dr. Mark A. Wyatt, interim vice president for university advancement. “The opportunities for giving that are included in the catalog make it easy to give to student scholarships, individual academic programs, support for athletics and much, much more.”

Using the online Christmas Gift Catalog, individuals may specify programs or projects they wish to support with their gifts, many of which may be tax deductible. They can also make gifts on behalf of others. In that case, CBU also will notify the person that a special donation has been made on their behalf. Qualifying gifts will be acknowledged with a receipt for tax purposes.

Click here to review the categories and specific giving opportunities.

2016 Homecoming to take place over the weekend

California Baptist University will host alumni and friends at Homecoming and Family Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5.

The activities kicked off at chapel services on Friday at 9:30 a.m. Worship was led by Christian recording band The Digital Age, and the chapel speaker was Josh Daffern (’99), lead pastor of Mt. Vernon Church in Mississippi.

Friday evening, the annual Alumni Awards Dinner (tickets required) takes place at the Recreation Center. Awards will be presented to Dave King (’69), recipient of the Lancer Medal for Lifetime Achievement Award; Darrel Walker (’75), Alumnus of the Year Award; Candice Trummell (‘07), recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award; Mike McGuffee (’74), recipient of the Distinguished Service in Christian Ministry Award; and Eric McBride (’09), Alumni Service Award.

On Saturday, the Alumni Association holds its annual meeting at 9 a.m. in the Copenbarger Dining Room. At 10 a.m., the Athletics Association hosts the third annual FLAApjack Breakfast at the Van Dyne Gym lawn.

A Block Party scheduled from noon to 8 p.m. will feature events and activities for all ages, including food trucks, inflatable attractions for children, games, live entertainment and interactive academic booths on the Front Lawn. Campus tours also will be available.

The CBU Lancers women’s volleyball team will host Concordia University, Irvine at 2 p.m. in the Van Dyne Gym.

There will also be the second annual “Zest”ival concert with The Digital Age in Stamps Courtyard at 3:30 p.m. The free concert will feature festival-style seating—spectators should bring a blanket or lawn chair.

The Fortuna Bowl kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday. The annual event features men’s and women’s championship intramural flag football games.

The 2016 Homecoming weekend activities will close with a fireworks show immediately following the Fortuna Bowl championship game.

MacArthur stresses need for convictions during address at CBU

Pastors need to have convictions like the Apostle Paul in order to say they fought the good fight and they kept the faith, Dr. John MacArthur told an audience at California Baptist University.

“Convictions are what control your life,” MacArthur said. “The fewer convictions you have, the more vulnerable you are.”

MacArthur is pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and president of The Master’s College and The Master’s Seminary. He spoke at the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series on Nov. 1.

MacArthur stated that Paul, despite hardships and persecution, remained faithful in his ministry until the end of his life. Paul lived by certain convictions and gospel certainties that protected him, and today’s pastors need to do the same, MacArthur said.

One of Paul’s convictions was in the superiority of the New Covenant, MacArthur said, adding that pastors today need to live in awe of the gospel.

“You have to be so overwhelmed with the reality of what God has done in your life that you wouldn’t even think of doing anything other than live to proclaim the glory of that gospel,” he said.

Another necessary conviction, according to MacArthur, is that results depend on God. If someone does not believe the Gospel, pastors are not to change the message, he said. The power to make someone believe is not in their hands.

“What is in your hands is to preach Jesus is Lord,” MacArthur sad. “That’s where you’re done and God steps in.”

MacArthur said Paul also had a conviction of his own insignificance, referring to himself as a jar of clay in II Corinthians 4:7.

“The power is not in the pot. That’s why God gets all the glory,” MacArthur said. “Our weakness, our smallness doesn’t not prove fatal to the work of the gospel.”

Chapel speaker tells of the hope she found in a shoebox

“I was afraid to open my shoebox, because until that point, I had been disappointed so many times in my life,” Elena Hagemeier said of the box she received from Operation Christmas Child. “I was afraid that the inside of my box wouldn’t be as bright as the outside of the box.”

Hagemeier grew up in a very poor and abusive home in the former Soviet Union. When she was 8, she and her younger sister where placed in an orphanage, Hagemeier told California Baptist University students in chapel on Oct. 31.

Although life was better, Hagemeier recalled not having hope for her future. Then, when she was around 10 years old, she got the shoebox from Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. It was the first gift she had ever received.

She let her sister, who liked to draw, open her box first. It was full of coloring books, markers and colored pencils.

“The cool thing about these shoeboxes—God knows where these shoeboxes go,” Hagemeier said

When Hagemeier opened her box, it was full of pink items, a color that she loved. However, the shoebox meant more to her than just the stuff inside.

“This small box was telling me that I was worth somebody’s time to pack a box,” Hagemeier said.

The shoeboxes included a booklet, “The Greatest Gift,” in her language, which told the story about Jesus. Although she could not imagine a God that would love her so much, Hagemeier started to pray for a family for her and her sister. In 2004, they were adopted by an American family.

Hagemeier encouraged CBU students to participate in Operation Christmas Child.

“What [the children] will love the most is the fact that you packed a shoebox for them, and that [some will] feel love for the first time and that they get to feel that hope that God gives them,” Hagemeier said. “That is the greatest gift that we can give to these kids.”

CBU packed more than 550 shoeboxes last year. This year, the CBU community can participate in Operation Christmas Child on Nov. 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center.

Interprofessional pilot program aims to better equip students

Students discuss a health care case study under the guidance of Dr. Lisa Bursch, associate professor of nursing (center) at California Baptist University, during the Interprofessional Education Seminar on Oct. 28.

More than 100 California Baptist University graduate students from six health care programs gathered on Oct. 28 as part of a pilot program for new interprofessional education (IPE).

The Interprofessional Education Seminar, held at CBU’s College of Health Science campus, came as a result of an IPE committee that is working to create interprofessional curriculum for CBU students.

“The end goal of all of this is to help our students be collaborative practice-ready, which is a requirement in health care now,” said Dr. Dayna Herrera, associate professor of nursing and the IPE committee chair. “Working in teams shows improvements in patient care and community outcomes.”

Dr. Nicole MacDonald, professor of athletic training, said bringing students together to learn how to work with each other goes beyond traditional classroom discussions.

“Just sitting in a classroom [next to] other professions is not interprofessional education,” MacDonald said. “You need to learn about them, learn how to work with them, learn what their roles are and then you need to educate them on what your roles are.”

Heather Ontiveros, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, organized the seminar. In prior occupations, she transitioned from an athletic trainer to a physician assistant and noticed a gap in communication between the two health providers.

“Because of my relationships, I was able to bridge gaps,” Ontiveros said. “We need to be comfortable calling other professions.”

During the seminar, students teamed up on a case study that helped them understand each profession’s roles and responsibilities within a patient’s care.

Elvis Garcia, an athletic training graduate student, learned how many of the roles between professions overlap.

“It’s easy just to focus on our profession,” Garcia said. “It’s easy to not even think about other providers and the relationship they have with your patient, [but] it’s critical for the best patient health overall.”

Herrera said more health care programs are being required to have IPE in their curriculum as part of accreditation standards, she said.

“IPE improves patient outcomes because providers have to work in teams,” Herrera said. “They all have a part to play; not one person can do it all.”

Club aimed at female students pursuing careers in medicine

A desire to support women pursuing careers in medicine led Jocelyn Parra, a health science senior, and her friends to start an academic club at California Baptist University last year. This year the club has grown to 25 female students.

“We wanted a group that focused on helping students build connections with medical professionals and give opportunities to do community outreach,” Parra said.

The club—the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)—holds professional development events throughout the year. The group also invites medical professionals to share their experiences as health providers; guest speakers have included doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical school admission counselors. The club has also provided a social forum for members to discuss women’s issues in medicine along with developing a plan to balance the roles of seeking a career in medicine and raising a family. Additionally, the club members perform volunteer work, such as participating in health fairs and assisting in medical clinics.

“The aim of this club is to prepare female students for work as clinicians in healthcare,” said Dr. Marshare Penny, associate professor of public health and faculty advisor for AMWA. “For this club, the students are able to connect with national chapters and have access to resources that will help them be successful in the future.”

Parra said she hopes students stay connected beyond CBU.

“I would love for students to be empowered and motivated to continue their careers with the connections and networks that they will make through this club,” Parra said.

CBU nutrition course challenges students’ eating habits

College students are not necessarily known for their good eating habits. Dr. Jan Edmisten, professor of kinesiology, would like that reputation to change.

Edmisten teaches KIN 300: Nutrition Science at California Baptist University. The course offers students the opportunity to learn what a healthy eating lifestyle entails through the study of nutrition.

“We try to talk about the most general macronutrients, like carbohydrates, nutrients, fats and how those are broken down and used by the body,” Edmisten said.

Although this class was originally designed for exercise science and kinesiology majors, Edmisten said many College of Health Science students enroll in the course to fulfill their upper division requirements.

“We tried to design the course with enough science to help the student understand what happens when you take in food and what it does in your body, but with enough application that it applies across a lot of majors,” Edmisten said.

Edmisten said she hopes the course will transform the typical college student’s diet, influencing them to seek positive change in their eating habits.

Matt Garcia, an exercise science senior, said the class has had an impact on his food choices.

“This class definitely helped me learn more about healthy habits and about what ingredients are in the food we eat on a regular basis,” Garcia said. “I enjoyed learning about what we need to eat to stay healthy and what we can do to prevent diseases, such as diabetes.”

Preventative action taken against disease during college years through healthy eating is a habit students will carry with them for the rest of their lives, Edmisten said.

“I think (this course) is important because the more you learn about your body, the better steward you can be of what God gave us,” Edmisten said. “He wants us to live a full and happy life, and it’s hard to do that when you’re sick all the time; so I try to teach it from that approach.”

Former NFL player shares his journey with CBU audience

“I just wanted to be in the marching band with my white shoes and my green uniform and marching at halftime,” former NFL player Reggie Doss told a California Baptist University audience. “But God had other plans for me.”

Doss, who played in more than 200 games for the Los Angeles Rams from 1978 – 1988, was invited to speak by the department of mathematical sciences at CBU to help launch their newest major—sports analytics.

Doss grew up in Texas and dreamed of participating in halftime show at NFL games. But when a high school friend noticed his talent in a PE class and encouraged Doss to play football, Doss took his advice and joined the school’s team.

Doss said in high school he was not the best player on his team but had undeveloped talent. After high school, he attended a small NCAA Division II school—Hampton University—to continue playing football and to see if he could develop his talent. It was there that he learned the value of hard work.

His team would go through a grueling two-week pre-season training regimen, including holding practice four times a day starting at 5 a.m. It was this intense environment that Doss credits to preparing him for a career in the NFL.

“God doesn’t put things in your life just to put them in your life as an obstacle,” he said. “[These experiences] make you stronger.”

Doss said when he got to his first day of training camp in the NFL, he felt that his college training was harder.

“When I got into camp I knew what to expect…I had been through one of the toughest camps in the nation,” Doss said. “With all the hard work and wanting to succeed, that is what really made me excel.”

Doss said he was fortunate to play as a defensive lineman in the NFL, but his purpose in life did not end there.

Doss and his wife, Tamara, have adopted three children. After living as a single man for 48 years, he now lives to raise his family.

“God touched my heart and my wife’s heart,” he said. “My life is completely different now than in my single days, and God has a way working His way through me.”

Lecturer urges students to use their passions to make an impact

“Honor God, yourself and the world by knowing who you are, what makes your heart sink and break. That fertile soil where your passions combine can lead to beautiful things for you and the world,” Curtis Romjue told an audience at California Baptist University.

Romjue is president and co-founder of First Aid Arts, an organization that trains others to use the arts to help trauma survivors begin the process of recovering from experiences such as abuse, violence or natural disaster. He spoke on Oct. 20 as part of the School of Behavioral Sciences’ Culture and Justice Lecture Series.

There are currently 30 million people around the world who are victims of modern-day slavery, Romjue said. First Aid Arts offers training and materials to equip professional and volunteer care providers to help those who are rescued. Trauma survivors are encouraged to use various art forms such as drawing or dancing as an escape and to help in their healing.

Romjue encouraged the students to discover what their passions are and also what makes their hearts break. That will help them determine how to use their passions to make a positive impact on the world.

While in college, Romjue heard Gary Haugen, president of International Justice Mission, speak on rescuing children as young as 4- and 5-year-olds from brothels. That spurred in him a desire to create a solution to such a problem.

“For me, coming out with that new knowledge that slavery still exists … prompted me to ask, what can I do about it?” Romjue said.

He developed First Aid Arts in response to the needs of social workers serving survivors of sex trafficking and slave labor.

Family Updates

Dr. Shasha Zheng

Dr. Shasha Zheng, assistant professor of nutrition, presided as chairperson for the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Session and Marine Biotechnology Session at the Global Biotechnology Congress in Boston on Aug. 22-25, and gave a presentation on phytonutrient and bioactivity analysis of traditionally used Native American edible plants. Zheng also wrote a chapter, Fish, Fish Oil and Liver Cancer, in a recently published book Fish and Fish Oil in Health and Disease Prevention.

Victoria Brodie

Victoria Brodie, visiting professor of public relations, served as the chairperson for the first day of Leadership Riverside’s class of 2017 on Sept. 9. Leadership Riverside is a 10-month program developed to educate decision-makers in the community by immersing them in the issues and challenges that shape Riverside’s future.

Dr. Kathryn A. Short

Dr. Kathryn A. Short, professor of education, recently received a $9,000 grant from the James L. Stamps Foundation to purchase a Nao humanoid robot for her study working with 4-year-old children with autism. She is currently on sabbatical researching the use of robotics, specifically a humanoid, as a communication tool to solicit joint attention and language skills with children who have difficulty engaging and connecting in social situations.

Dr. David Pearson

Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, spoke at the college’s Distinguished Lecture Series event on Oct. 18 in honor of his professional mentor, Dick Yoder. Yoder, a coach, director of athletics and director of the graduate program in Athletic Administration at West Chester University, was to be a speaker in the series but died in May. The topic of the presentation was Finding your professional self. Pearson made a similar presentation at Woodcrest Christian School in Riverside for its 2016 College, Military, and Career Day event on Oct. 19.

Dr. Juliann Perdue, associate professor of nursing, and Rugar, a certified therapy dog, presented at the 12th Nursing and Healthcare Congress in Vancouver, Canada, on Oct. 3. Perdue spoke on the topic of Integrating animal-assisted interventions in nursing curriculum.

Dr. Dennis Bideshi

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, co-authored a paper, The thnR gene is a negative transcription regulator of the thurinicn H genetic cassette in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni, that was published online in the journal Archives in Microbiology (October 2016).

Dr. Jeff Cate

Dr. Jeff Cate, professor of New Testament, had two essays published in Book of Seven Seals (Mohr Siebeck) on the manuscripts of the Revelation of John. One essay analyzes a small, enigmatic 7th century papyrus fragment from the book of Revelation that was found in Egypt in the early 20th century. The other essay compares two miniature Greek NT manuscripts, one housed in Athens, Greece, and the other in the UC-Riverside special collections, that were both copied from the same exemplar in the 13th century.

Shawn Wilhite

Shawn Wilhite, assistant professor of Christian studies for Online and Professional Studies, edited and was the primary contributor to Apostolic Fathers Greek Reader vol 2 (Glossa House 2016). He also co-authored a chapter in the book, Didache and Barnabas. He also has had four book reviews published: The Genre and Development of the Didache by Nancy Pardee; Augustine’s Theology of Preaching by Peter T. Sanlon; and Ancient Christian Worship: Early Church Practices in Social, Historical, and Theological Perspective by Andrew B. McGowan were published in Trinity Journal 37; You Are My Son: The Family of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews by Amy L. B. Peeler was published in Reviews of Biblical and Early Christian Studies.

Dr. Melissa Antonio

Dr. Melissa Antonio, assistant professor of biology, had an essay, Giving Repetitive Courses A Fresh Look, published on the Emerging Scholars Network blog.

The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business hosted an alumni panel on Oct. 12 featuring Micah Tokuda (’09, ’10), Paula Mora (’11, ’12), Grant Young (’10, ’13), Ashley Hoppes (’15) and Michelle Van Gent (’15, nee Cok). The panelists shared with students about life after CBU and the lessons that they had learned since graduating.

The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business hosted 22 students from the Business Academy at Canyon Springs High School on Oct. 22. Dr. Keanon Alderson, associate professor of business, facilitated the visit. Students sat in a class, toured the campus and heard from members of the Jabs School of Business Student Leadership Council.

Dr. Natalie Winter

Dr. Natalie Winter, associate professor of marketing, spoke on living selflessly as God’s child, a message from I Corinthians, at Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo on Oct. 11-12.

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, chair of arts and sciences for CBU/Online and Professional Studies, presented at the ninth annual Mentoring Conference at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Oct. 26. The presentation was on her paper, Natural, Holistic Mentoring, which was published in the conference journal.

Dr. Andrew Herrity

Dr. Andrew Herrity, professor of entrepreneurship and business, wrote a paper that won Best Academic Paper from the Christian Business Faculty Association. The paper is titled Preparing Young Adults for Ministry in the Marketplace: Observations, Explanations and Implications of Truthfulness as Utilitarian Rather Than Virtuous among Millennials.

Dr. Joel Bigley

Dr. Joel Bigley, assistant professor of business, co-authored a paper that was published in the International Journal of Business and Applied Social Science (Vol.2, No. 9). The name of the paper was Sustained Advantage from a Robust Dimensional Design.

Dr. Monica O’Rourke

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, visiting professor of kinesiology, was elected to serve as the Future Professional Liaison for the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD). Her three-year term involves advising CAHPERD’s future professional president and overseeing leadership opportunities for university kinesiology students across the state.

From left: Jim Scheer and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis

Jim Scheer, landscape lead for Facilities and Planning Services, has been chosen employee of the month for November. The nomination form included the following statements: “Jim is a hard worker, very diligent and dedicated to the beauty of the campus. He’s a kind, helpful and encouraging person. Jim is always willing to lend a hand and will go out of his way to make sure that the job is completed. He is a spiritual leader to his co-workers and with the student workers; an example of Christ in his gentle and humble spirit.”

Dr. Greg Cochran

Dr. Greg Cochran, associate professor of applied theology, had his book, Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and Around the World Today, published in September by Weaver Book Co.

Laura Acosta

CBU Online announces the opening of a Career Center office aimed at Online and Professional Studies students. The opening is coordinated with a veterans’ event being held Nov. 11. Laura Acosta, associate director of the Career Center, will head up the office, which is located at Tyler Plaza, 10370 Hemet St., Suite 140, Riverside.

Current News

CBU enrollment tops 9,000, continuing growth trend

Fall 2016 enrollment at California Baptist University set another record with 9,157 students—a 7.2 percent increase above the fall enrollment figure the previous year, President Ronald L. Ellis announced Sept. 30.

The year to year increase numbered 616 more students than the previous record of 8,541 established in 2015, Ellis said.

“The Lord continues to bless CBU in a mighty way,” Ellis told members of the California Baptist University Board of Trustees at their regular fall meeting.

“In the last 24 months we have had an enrollment increase of 1,200,” he said, noting that the two-year growth total was greater than the annual enrollment in any of CBU’s first 44 years of operation.

Ellis said CBU’s continuing enrollment growth is taking place “across the board” in all markets—undergraduate, graduate and online.

This fall marks the first time graduate enrollment at CBU has exceeded 2,000 students. Ellis said a net increase of 310 students pushed the graduate total to 2,221 for fall 2016, compared to 1,911 the year before.

“We are very excited for each student represented by these numbers and we praise the Lord,” Ellis said.

“Absorbing that (increase) takes a tremendous effort on the part of our faculty and staff, but we are committed to the Great Commission and we truly welcome the growth,” he added.

Founded in 1950, CBU is a private comprehensive institution located in Riverside, Calif. and affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention. CBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities.

Professor serves to make Christ known in action-sports scene

Dr. Monica O’Rourke and her husband, Brian, serve on Team Faith, a ministry geared toward professional action-sports athletes.

During the workweek, Dr. Monica O’Rourke is busy teaching and helping her CBU Online students. But along with her regular job, she is also a passionate weekend warrior for Christ.

O’Rourke, visiting professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies at California Baptist University, is frequently found helping at motocross tracks or watercross competitions. O’Rourke has been involved with husband Brian’s ministry—Team Faith—since the couple married more than 11 years ago. The organization is a nonprofit outreach ministry geared toward professional action-sports athletes.

O’Rourke has her own dirt bike and Jet Ski. She has even been known to race against her husband to help him train.

“The Lord tells us to go … and I would add go to the motocross, dirt bike, action sport people who are tattooed from head to toe,” O’Rourke said.

Team Faith sends teams to nationally televised sporting events all across the nation and to countries such as Egypt and Canada. The group includes a chaplain, who leads devotions and provides other services as needed, and the athletes who compete in the events. Team Faith also provides free meals or fruit smoothies and Bibles to participants of action sporting events. The group’s athletes include Kevin Johnson, an X-Games gold medalist, and Kelly Smith, a national watercraft champion. The group also has a freestyle motocross jump show that opens the door for the team to share the Gospel.

Prior to teaching at CBU, O’Rourke worked as a physical educator, a university PE program director and a corporate health consultant. With Team Faith, she serves as the director of public relations. She also works behind the scenes, from meeting ministry needs and praying for the athletes and families to cleaning bikes, taping athletes’ wrists and feet and offering rehab exercises.

O’Rourke travels with the teams one or two weekends a month during the winter and more during the summer.

“It’s an honor to serve, and they need Jesus just as much as anybody else does,” O’Rourke said.

Years ago, she wrote “be available” on a sticky note that she still holds onto.

“I ask God to keep my eyes and my heart and my ears open,” O’Rourke said. “We are all called by the Great Commission to go serve. Why would we not be going through action sports, performing there as well as sharing the Gospel?”

Professor receives federal grant to study youth drug prevention

A federal grant awarded to Dr. Robert G. LaChausse, department chair and associate professor of public health sciences at California Baptist University, will fund a five-year study of drug prevention among youth in Riverside County.

LaChausse, a recognized expert in preventing high-risk health behaviors among youth, plans to use the $500,000 award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to work with the city of Jurupa Valley and local nonprofit community-based agencies. The research project is designed to develop and study innovative approaches to drug prevention among youth.

“Alcohol, tobacco or other drug use during adolescence is associated with a wide range of health, social and academic problems,” LaChausse said. “The opportunity to work with the city of Jurupa Valley and its Healthy Jurupa Valley Coalition represents a tremendous opportunity to reduce substance use among youth by identifying and addressing the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.”

LaChausse 28 percent of teens in grades 9-12 in Riverside County report consuming alcohol at least once within 30 days and 37 percent report using marijuana or other drugs in the same time period. Additionally, 54 percent of high school students in Riverside County said it would be very easy to obtain alcohol or drugs in their community.

LaChausse said he is interested in studying approaches to drug prevention including policy and social norm changes and examining the effectiveness of such approaches.

“The work we do in my research lab has real-world applications,” LaChausse said. “Most alcohol and drug prevention programs for teens are not effective. Understanding which types of alcohol and drug prevention approaches are effective and how to assist local organizations in implementing and evaluating their programs is crucial to making an impact.”

LaChausse also noted that the grant will allow him to hire CBU health science students, giving them an opportunity to gain experience in the realm of public health.

“CBU is well-known for its International Service Projects and the Global Health Engagement Initiative, where faculty and students go out into the world and use their skills to serve as the hands and feet of Christ abroad,” LaChausse said. “There are needs in the communities that surround CBU and throughout Riverside County. With the expertise of faculty at CBU and the passion of students to serve, we can help those in our own backyard.”

LaChausse said that the results of his study will be presented at national conferences and published in academic journals.

“I want to continue a program of research at CBU so that we are not only invited to sit at the table, but we are setting the table for other researchers and students to continue this work and make a difference in the Inland Empire and the nation.”

CBU Online set to offer its second doctoral program

California Baptist University’s Online and Professional Studies (OPS) division will offer its second doctorate this January—a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

Dr. David Poole, vice president for OPS, said the program is ideal for individuals who are experienced leaders who want to teach, for those who want to pursue a doctorate while teaching or for individuals seeking to grow in their leadership role. The three-year program will cover areas such as organization and management, finance, strategic marketing, economic theory and ethics.

“This [will give students] additional tools to take back to their businesses so they can enhance the success and productivity of the organization,” Poole said.

By offering the DBA program, OPS can help to realize CBU’s global mission, Poole said.

“That’s one of the great things about OPS,” Poole said. “As a university committed to the Great Commission, we can go to the ends of the earth. When we see people [enroll] from out of state and out of the country, I think that’s meeting that mission.”

“The 1940’s Radio Hour” opens CBU’s 2016-17 theatre season

California Baptist University’s theatre arts program is bringing comedy and music to the Wallace Theatre with its opening production for the 2016-2017 season “The 1940’s Radio Hour.”

With music by Walton Jones, the story takes place in December 1942 at a New York City radio station. The producer deals with the performers and other personnel as they put on a radio show, which includes music from the 1940s, such as “Strike up the Band,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

The cast members have grown in their abilities as they have learned to sing, hold harmonies and dance at the same time, said Lisa Lyons, adjunct professor of theatre and the play’s director.

“I hope the audience gets pure enjoyment out of the show,” Lyons said.

Assisting with the show is the jazz band from the School of Music. Seventeen musicians will be on the stage for each show, re-creating that special “big band” sound, said Dr. Guy Holliday, associate dean and director of bands.

“These shows are different from our regular concerts in that we are interacting with vocalists/dancers/actors throughout the show, so the timing, tempos and balance have to be precise,” Holliday said. “We can’t let down our energy for any part of those shows. This is what professional musicians who play musical theater shows have to do, so this is truly a real world experience for our musicians.”

Mason Lee, a theatre senior, plays Pops Bailey, a cranky old man who works at the station.

“It’s a show that’s heavily designed to just be a high energy hour and a half for an audience to come in and relax,” Lee said. “We put a lot of hard work into learning the songs, and I think the audience is going to enjoy that.”

Club Fair offers CBU students ways to connect with campus life

A Club Fair on Oct. 7 at California Baptist University offered students an opportunity to learn about the clubs on campus, sign up and ultimately get connected with other like-minded students. CBU offers nearly 60 clubs ranging from Art to Pre-Medical to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Girls to Ultimate Frisbee.

“Clubs are another way for students to feel more connected,” said Taylor Allen, program coordinator of clubs and events with Community Life. “Whatever a student is interested in, hopefully they’ll be able to find that within the clubs.”

When deciding whether to approve a club, the staff looks at what it has to offer, Allen said.

“Our biggest concern is that every student has an opportunity to join,” Allen said. “We also want clubs to be an encouraging and inviting environment for students.”

Margaret Jones, an undeclared sophomore, is president of the Slam Poetry club. She said the club is open to all types of poets and will provide an opportunity for students to have their work critiqued and practice performing.

“I want students to become involved in expressing themselves and become comfortable with that,” Jones said.

Itzel Tiscareno, a political science junior and transfer student, said she attended the Club Fair looking for clubs with ties to her major or hobbies, including being outdoors. She signed up for the Environmental Science club and looks forward to meeting new students.

“It will help me get better connected with the CBU family and grow spiritually and academically,” Tiscareno said. “I feel like if you’re involved, you learn so much more, you’re connected more.”

CBU students, faculty offer a helping hand at community clinic

California Baptist University students and faculty offered their clinical and educational assistance at a free community health clinic hosted at Arlanza Elementary School on Sept. 30.

More than 40 CBU students and seven faculty members volunteered for the event.

“We want to serve the community and be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Zamora said.

Zamora said that the principal at Arlanza Elementary School told her that nothing like this has ever been done in their community.

“The event allowed students to practice having contact with patients, which is important; but on a larger level it’s teaching our students the importance of serving the underserved populations in our community,” Zamora said. “I hope our students develop a passion to serve the underserved through events such as this one.”

CBU Counseling Center hosts a week to “choose healing”

The Counseling Center at California Baptist University hosted “Choose Healing” week in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 3 – 7). The center provided education to students throughout the week at various table locations on campus.

“We want to decrease the stigma about mental health [issues]. We just have a heart for our student body to realize that everybody needs help at one time or another,” said Jeff Biddle, director of the Counseling Center. “A lot of time there is a stigma out there that you have to have a severe mental health disorder, but we’re all broken.”

With the theme “Choose Healing,” each day focused on an issue pertinent to college campuses, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicide and psychosis.

“The onset of significant mental, emotional crisis often happens between the ages of 18-23 nationwide,” Biddle said. “Our students are in the very window of potentially experiencing significant emotional crisis.”

Often students are surprised when faced with a mental health issue such as significant depression or anxiety and they do not know where to get help, he said.

“We want the Counseling Center to be seen as any other department on campus,” Biddle said. “We want people to understand that we’re here for them. We’re available.”

Meet the Firms event offers a look at prospective careers

More than 25 employers were on hand to speak to students about job or internship opportunities at the Meet the Firms event hosted by the Career Center at California Baptist University on Sept. 29.

The majority of the organizations in attendance came from the accounting and finance industries.

Anna Crosby, an applied statistical analysis senior, said the event showed her that companies are looking for people who have life experiences.

“They’re looking for something that is just beyond your degree,” Crosby said. “They want someone who has experience in doing other things than in just their field.”

Catherine Llores, an accounting junior, said she gained some perspective on future employment opportunities.

“After talking with a lot of different companies and getting to know how they work, I now see that personality plays a big part of the hiring process,” Llores said. ”They want to know you’re a hard worker and that you are teachable.”

Mike Bishop, senior director for the Career Center, said that in the course of the year, his office will bring approximately 500 organizations on campus for students to interact with.

“Even if the students do not get a job or internship offer, each career fair offers students the opportunity to polish their interview skills for future job opportunities,” Bishop said.

Ceremony signifies commitment to a career in healthcare

The inaugural class for the Master of Science in physician assistant (PA) studies at California Baptist University participated in white coat ceremony on Sept. 29. Thirty students took place in the event as family, friends and CBU faculty and staff were on hand to offer their support.

Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, said the ceremony is a student’s public acknowledgement that they will commit to a career in healthcare services.

“It is their professional baptism in the sense that a baptized believer is ready for continued growth and service to the Lord and similarly a white coat recipient is ready for continued growth and service to humanity,” Pearson said.

For the students, both the ceremony and being part of the first class have significant meaning.

“It means so much to me,” said Amy Plaia, a PA student. “It’s an honor and I know that it was divinely orchestrated for all of us who are in the first class.”

The two-year program features both a didactic and clinical year and is housed on the new Health Science Campus at CBU.

“This is a significant time for the College of Health Science because we regard the PA program as an essential element of our quest to transform lives through the health professions,” Pearson said. “This group of students will have an amazing impact on the health and wellness of the Inland Empire for decades.”

CBU President delivers 2016 State of the University address

California Baptist University President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis shared his 2016 State of the University video address at chapel services the week of September 26. The address reported on key accomplishments at CBU over the past year and also highlighted significant upcoming events.

The Constitution is “a noble document,” law professor says

“I think the U.S. Constitution is one of the greatest works of human thought in world history,” Myron Steeves, a law professor, told an audience at a Constitution Day event held at California Baptist University on Sept. 28.

Steeves is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, teaches at Trinity Law School and has practiced law in the nonprofit area, particularly advising churches. Constitution Day marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

Steeves lectured on the history of the Constitution, its limits and the challenges it has faced since it was signed 229 years ago.

It has elements not seen by any other government prior to its creation, Steeves said. Those elements include centering on the individual, limiting government and privileging localism.

However, the document was not perfect, Steeves said. Some were minor flaws, some significant, such as when the creators decided to make slaves count as 3/5th a person when determining a state’s population to for legislation representation. That section was later changed by the 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868.

The challenges of this historic document include the evolution of a nation’s priorities, the definition of words and development of technology not foreseen, Steeves said.

Despite its flaws, it is still a great document, he said.

“It is a great, magnificent and a noble document that has served well the purpose of giving us a great deal of freedom and liberty,” Steeves said. “While the document isn’t perfect, it’s done a magnificent job of giving us more liberty over a longer period of time than other country in history has experienced.”

CBU cheer team honored by Riverside City Council

Lancer Cheerleading was honored for the team’s fourth straight National Cheerleaders Association All-Girls Division II championship at the Riverside City Council meeting on Sept. 27.

Coach Tami Fleming also spoke to the councilmembers about her current team and some new additions, both new recruits and a new assistant coach in Brandon Seagondollar. The councilmembers expressed affirmation for the Lancers’ commitment to academics as well. The team had a combined GPA of 3.29 last year.

Family Updates

From left: Dr. Ronald L. Ellis and Cameron Council

Cameron Council, customer support analyst II for Information and Technology Services, has been chosen Employee of the Month for October. The nomination form included the following statements: “Cameron is a dedicated individual with tremendous attitude and work ethic. His gentle demeanor and attentiveness are a calming influence on customers as he works with them to resolve problems. Cameron has proven to be an important part to the ITS department.”

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, was elected and installed as president of the University Aviation Association (UAA) on Oct. 1 at its annual board meeting held in Omaha, Nebraska. The UAA represents more than 100 collegiate aviation programs nationwide, as well as a number of aviation high schools and aviation companies. Prather will serve a one-year term as president and will serve as master of ceremonies during the 2017 UAA Fall Education conference, which will be hosted by CBU in Riverside on Sept. 13-16, 2017.

Dr. Robert G. Crosby

Dr. Robert Crosby, assistant professor of psychology for Online and Professional Studies, co-authored an article that was published in the Christian Education Journal, Volume 13. The title of the article was The measurement and evaluation of children’s ministry praxis.

Nathan Iverson

Nathan Iverson, assistant professor of psychology, had an article published in the October issue of the National Institute of Career and Educational Counseling Journal. The title of the article was Career development practices: a global comparison.

Dr. Susan Drummond

Dr. Geneva Oaks

Dr. Geneva Oaks, dean of the College of Nursing, and Dr. Susan Drummond, associate professor of nursing, presented at the 17th Biennial International Conference of the International Consortium Parse Scholars at Loyola University in Chicago on Sept. 24. Their presentation was titled Witnessing Unfolding with Nursing Graduates Educated in the Humanbecoming Paradigm.

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson

Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, associate professor of public relations for Online and Professional Services, presented at the Colton Joint Unified School District’s first Career Fair held in Colton on Oct. 4. She spoke to high school students on Tips for a Successful Interview.

Dr. Joshua Knabb

Dr. Joshua Knabb, associate professor of psychology, had a new workbook, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Christian Clients: A Faith-Based Workbook, published by Routledge this month.

Dr. Dennis Bideshi

Dr. Hyun-Woo Park

Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, and Dr, Hyun-Woo Park, professor of biology, co-authored a paper, De novo phasing with X-ray laser reveals mosquito larvicide BinAB structure, that was published in the journal Nature. Twenty-two other scientists from six national and international institutions collaborated in the study. The data obtained have provided insight into genetically engineering a potent toxin that specifically targets mosquitoes that vector a number of parasitic and viral diseases, including malaria, elephantiasis, river blindness, and dengue and West Nile encephalitis that are endemic primarily in Africa, South East Asia and Central and South America.

Dr. Barry Parker

Dr. Barry Parker, librarian, had a book, The Darkened Trail, published in September. The book, a mystery/romance, is the second book in an online series, Jacob’s worlds.

Dr. Robert G. LaChausse, associate professor of public health, had an article published in the American Journal of Public Health. It was titled A Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial of the Positive Prevention PLUS Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program.

Dr. Thomas Schneider

Dr. Thomas R. Schneider, assistant professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, had an article published in the medieval literature journal Arthuriana, Fall 2016. The article is titled The Chivalric Masculinity of Marie de France’s Shape-Changers.

David Byrne, adjunct history professor for Online and Professional Studies, had an article published in the journal Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700, Volume 41. The article is titled Ragley Hall and the Decline of Cartesianism.

Dr. Scott Key

Dr. Scott B. Key, professor of philosophy, presented a lecture on The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis at the Edward-Dean Museum in Cherry Valley on Oct. 8. The lecture, titled An Introduction to the Chronicles of Narnia, coincided with a special exhibit on children’s literature developed by the museum staff. The event was coordinated with the C. S. Lewis Foundation.

Jeff Biddle

Jeff Biddle, director of the Counseling Center, recently became a California Association of Marriage Family Therapist Certified Supervisor. Certification requires completion of coursework, consultation hours with a mentor, and submission of a log and a case summary addressing specific topics pertinent to supervising marriage family therapist trainees and interns.

Current News

View church as new creation of triune God, advises theologian

While the New Testament uses a variety of images to refer to the church, a theologian and author focused on one perspective during a lecture at California Baptist University. Dr. Gregg Allison urged his audience to view the church as a new creation of the triune God.

Allison is a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has written several books, including “Historical Theology, Sojourners and Strangers,” and is the book review editor for theological, historical, and philosophical studies, “Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.”

“The Father, Son and Holy Spirit operate inseparably yet with particular primary responsibilities to originate, develop and perfect the church as a new creation,” Allison said. He spoke Sept. 27 as part of the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series.

Allison said the basic definition of church is the people of God who have been saved, repenting of their sins, believing in Jesus Christ, then becoming incorporated into the body through baptism of the Holy Spirit. He said he wants churches to launch new fellowships because the Holy Spirit has stirred up to the desire to bring the gospel to others.

“Each member has a gift or gifts according to the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit to be used all together with the other members and their gifts for the building up of the body of Christ,” Allison said. “Each gift is vitally important, which banishes all sense of superiority or inferiority.”

Although the church is not perfect, believers need to be part of the church, Allison said.

“Here’s my plea: love the church, serve in your church, join your church, pray for your church,” Allison said. “Your church is the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so rejoice and flourish in being the triune God’s new creation.”

TWIRP tradition connects students with each other, campus life

Tow’rs (a folk band from Flagstaff, Arizona) played at the Stamps Courtyard at California Baptist University to kick off TWIRP week on Sept. 26.

It is officially TWIRP (The Woman Is Required to Pay) week at California Baptist University. The week is a part of many unique traditions on campus.

During TWIRP Week, girls have the opportunity to ask guys to join them at different activities, said Kristin Waters, director of campus activities for Community Life. But it is not just a date week.

“We also encourage groups of friends or whole halls to join in on the fun and attend events together,” Waters said. “The purpose of this week is to kick off the year with a fun tradition, get students connected to each other and the campus, and see a variety of activities offered through Community Life.”

This year the week’s activities include a free concert by Tow’rs (a folk band from Flagstaff, Arizona), an outing to an Angels major league baseball game, a car-less drive-in movie, a barn dance on the Front Lawn and an outing to Disney’s California Adventure.

“We think the purpose benefits the students, getting them connected to each other and to campus traditions,” Waters said. “Involvement adds value to their college experience!”

Other traditions at CBU include the Kugel walk, where new students touch the Kugel (a massive floating granite globe) and the Fortuna Bowl, the championship intramural flag football game that wraps up Homecoming in early November.

The office of Community Life also holds a number of the traditional events, such as Midnight Madness (the kickoff to the year’s basketball season) and Yule (a formal dinner in December).

CBU hosts inaugural “Girls in Aviation” event

Amanda Snodgrass, an aviation flight senior at California Baptist University, gives a presentation on the concepts of flying at the “Girls in Aviation” event.

The Aviation Science program at California Baptist University welcomed girls who are interested in a career in aviation to its inaugural “Girls in Aviation” event on Sept. 24.

The event was held to encourage and empower women to pursue careers in the aviation industry. Hannah Maria Guajardo, Amanda Snodgrass, Lacey Schimming and Laura Walker, who are Aviation Science seniors and the founders of the Women in Aviation International Student Chapter “Blue Yonder,” led the event.

“I would love for these young women to walk away feeling motivated and confident in pursuing a career in aviation,” Schimming said. “It is important for them to know how big of a support system they have behind them and that they can be successful in this industry.”

Those in attendance had the opportunity to tour the Riverside Municipal Airport’s Air Traffic Control facility and several of the Aviation Science program’s aircraft. Additionally, participants performed test landings at the flight simulator studio and attended several sessions on the concepts of flying and what it takes to be successful in the industry.

Snodgrass, and Guajardo are among four CBU students who were given conditional offers of employment by ExpressJet earlier in the year.

Guajardo, who is also a CBU flight instructor, said her career path is already lined up after graduation.

“It’s a huge relief knowing that once I meet the hour requirements for the job, I have one open for me,” she said.

Engineering showcases CBU IndyCar at event

The Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at California Baptist University along with KVSH IndyCar Racing hosted an Anatomy of an IndyCar event on Sept 20. The event was geared toward high school students interested in majoring in STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

CBU has partnered with KVSH Racing for the current IndyCar season, which has allowed unique opportunities for CBU students to learn more about the ins-and-outs of an IndyCar. The No. 11 CBU – KVSH Racing Chevrolet IndyCar was on display at the event. Additionally, the KVSH traveling trailer was on display and its crewmembers were on hand to talk about all the technology that goes into a successful IndyCar race.

“We transformed the College of Engineering into the KVSH paddock, similar to what you would experience on race day,” said Drew Collins, a CBU student, event coordinator and owner of DC Powerhouse, which works on performance motorcycles. “I have spent a lifetime focused on motorsports racing. As an athlete, mechanic, and student, I have experienced a wide range of competitive passion and engineering expertise. The IndyCar event offered [prospective students] this type of experience plus offered students a perspective on pragmatic business principles that have built a race winning team.”

Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the College of Engineering, said the event is consistent with the College of Engineering’s commitment to creating varied learning experiences for its students.

“It is the hands-on approach to creating unique engineering experiences that make the College Engineering distinctive,” said Donaldson. “Students get and conduct hands-on design throughout their time at CBU.”

2016 Fortuna Bowl Trophy quest kicks off at CBU

The quest for the 2016 Fortuna Bowl Trophy kicked off Sept. 19 on the Front Lawn at California Baptist University.

Flag football is the most popular intramural sport at CBU. This year’s 26 teams–14 men’s and 12 women’s—represents the largest number ever to chase the coveted Fortuna Bowl Trophy in a single season. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of a championship presentation.

The championship games will be held Nov. 5 during California Baptist University Homecoming Weekend. Last year’s championship games drew more than 4,500 spectators.

Tyler Cox, director of recreation programs, said he is planning something special for the Fortuna Bowl Championship games.

“Stay tuned for some surprises that will revolve around the silver anniversary theme,” Cox said. “Additionally, we will be reaching out to some alumni who have played flag football in the past and welcome them back in style.”

Cox said that the leagues help students build friendships and a sense of community on campus. Additionally, the teams are all very competitive.

Last year’s Fortuna Bowl champions were the Goon Squad for the men’s league and the Bombshell for the women’s league. Both teams return this year to defend their titles.

Cox said that more than half of the squads are legacy teams, meaning they have been continuing teams and, in some cases, have been around for more than a decade.

Professor’s suite to debut with Corona Symphony Orchestra

It took Dr. Glenn Pickett, associate professor of music, almost two years to write “Circle City Suite.” Now that the work is completed, he eagerly awaits its premiere with the Corona Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 15.

The orchestra commissioned Pickett to compose the suite—a first for both. The “Circle City Suite” concert also will include music by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Peter Boyer, a teacher of Pickett’s when he attended Claremont Graduate University.

Pickett has heard his five-movement work of music played via a computer program numerous times, but he is excited to hear the production performed live.

“The thing that humans can do that the computer can’t do is put emotion into it,” Pickett said. “To hear 72 people interact with one another and dance with one another musically is something I’m very much looking forward to hear.”

The concert will have additional ties to CBU. Pickett composed a violin solo for Noemy Wheeler, a CBU lecturer and conductor. She is also the artistic personnel director with the Corona Orchestra.

Additionally, Marco Mejia, the conductor of the orchestra, is a CBU music graduate (’06).

Pickett said Mejia has a “go-for-it mentality” that he trusts.

“Marco approaches music in an entrepreneurial spirit,” Pickett said. “It was his idea to do the Peter Boyer [combination]. That’s kind of cool, to have the teacher’s work and then the student’s work together.”

Mejia is looking forward to conducting the piece and the concert, which he said will give the audience a taste of American classical music.

“Dr. Pickett’s piece at times reflects certain sections of the American musical landscape,” Mejia said about Pickett’s score. “To have someone in your university writing such caliber of music is wonderful.”

Pickett is thankful for his musical talents.

“I’m deeply grateful to the Lord to be working in academia, particularly CBU, where I’m encouraged to write…and to have the chance to model and walk in front my students and say here’s what a writer does,” Pickett said.

Corona Symphony Orchestra presents “Circle City Suite” to open its ninth season. The concert is will be at on Oct. 15 at 7:00 p.m., at Northpoint Church, 988 W. Ontario Ave., Corona, California.

Family Updates

Charles Vela

Charles Vela, housing maintenance manager with Facilities and Planning Services, passed the Educational Facilities Professional (EFP) Credentialing Exam. The exam is issued by APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities, an organization that promotes leadership in educational facilities for professionals seeking to build their careers and elevate the value and recognition of facilities in education. The EFP credential is a way to validate the knowledge and competency required of an accomplished professional in the educational facilities field.

Dr. Bob Namvar

Dr. Bob Namvar, professor of economics, had an article, A sluggish U.S. Economy is no Surprise, published in the International Journal of Business and Economic Development, Volume 4 Number 1, March 2016.

Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom

Dr. Linda-Marie Sundstrom, associate professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, had a chapter, Working for the Collective: A Comparative Analysis of Communist Subbotniks and American Charities, published in a book. The book, Global Perspectives on Development Administration and Cultural Change, was published last month by IGI Global.

Dr. Namhee Kim, assistant professor of communication disorders, and 10 communication disorders undergraduate students volunteered at the SOS program for special children at The Grove Community Church in Riverside on Sept. 16. The program is a monthly event offered to the families who have a child with special needs.

Dr. Sean Sullivan

Dr. Sean Sullivan, professor of kinesiology, presented a paper, Moving Forward: Sport and Worship in the Christian Life, at the Inaugural Global Congress on Sports and Christianity in York, England, on Aug. 27.

Dr. Ogbochi McKinney

Dr. Dominick Sturz

Dr. Ogbochi McKinney, assistant professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, presented a paper, Effectiveness of the Medical Response Teams to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa: African immigrants’ Perceptions, at the United States Conference on African Immigrant & Refugee Health held in New York, N.Y., from Sept. 16-18. Dr. Dominick Sturz, associate professor of public health for Online and Professional Studies, co-authored the paper.

Dr. Veola Vazquez

Dr. Veola Vazquez, associate professor of psychology, served as the keynote speaker at Awaken: Educating Hearts & Minds on Mental Health, an event held by Magnolia Church in Riverside on Sept. 10. Vazquez spoke on Mental Health, Mental Illness and God: Finding Meaning in Suffering.

Dr. Robert G. LaChausse

Dr. Robert G. LaChausse, associate professor of public health, co-authored a paper, How Collaboration Strengthens Program Evaluation and Can Lead to Program Sustainability. It was presented at the 2016 U.S Department of Health & Human Service Conference in Baltimore in July 2016. LaChausse also received a $500,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to work with the City of Jurupa Valley to study the factors in a community that increase the risk of drug use among youth.

Dr. Larry Linamen, right, meets with delegates from the University of Tehran at the 2016 AUAP Conference in Taiwan in January.

Dr. Larry Linamen, vice president for Global Initiatives, has been nominated to serve on the board for the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), an association of university chief executives from higher education institutions in Asia Pacific and around the world. He will serve on the board for two years.

Dr. William Flores

Dr. William Flores, associate professor of Spanish, had a review of his book Ecocrítica poscolonial y literatura moderna latinoamericana (Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Modern Latin American Literature) featured in the September 2016 issue of Hispania.

Current News

CBU advances in “Best Colleges” rankings for 2017

California Baptist University has been named one of America’s Best Colleges for 2017 in rankings by U.S. News and World Report. It is the 11th time in as many years that CBU has received the recognition and the third consecutive year as a top 40-ranked “Best Regional University.”

The rankings for 2017 place CBU at No. 37 in the top tier of the nation’s educational institutions. That advances CBU’s position from the No. 39 ranking received the previous year among the publication’s “Best Regional Universities” in the West.

Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, termed the third-party ranking “significant.” He said recognition by the national publication validates the choices made by thousands of students pursuing their higher education goals at California Baptist University.

“I am pleased that these influential rankings have recognized California Baptist University once again,” Ellis said. “It says good things about the value and quality of the educational programs that CBU offers in both traditional and online settings,” Ellis said.

“Best Colleges” rankings are published in U.S. News & World Report each year to aid prospective students and their parents looking for the best academic values for their money. Now in its 32nd year, the annual comparative listing uses a system of weighted indicators of academic excellence to rank universities. Those indicators include: student selectivity, retention and graduation rates; assessment by peer institutions; faculty resources; financial resources and alumni giving.

The category of Best Regional Universities includes 653 institutions in four regions of the nation that offer a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and master’s degrees but few, if any, doctoral programs.

California Baptist University offers more than 150 majors, minors and concentrations, as well as more than 40 graduate programs and three doctoral programs.

CBU remembers 15th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attack

Students, faculty and staff at California Baptist University took time to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The Associated Students of California Baptist University offered an opportunity to remember and honor the 2,977 people who lost their lives. At the Stamps Courtyard, students, faculty and staff took one of 2,977 flags, one for each victim, and placed the flag in the lawn, outlining a cross.

Andrew Graff, ASCBU director of office affairs and a junior health science major, said the event gave the CBU community an opportunity to reflect on that tragic day.

“It’s important to remember because it was a big tragedy that caused a lot of sadness and confusion,” Andrew said.

James Vest, a biochemistry junior, was in second-grade at the time of the attacks. He remembers his mom hugging him when he got home from school. His sister was in New York on vacation at the time and his family was frantic until they heard from her. Vest said remembering 9/11 is important for many reasons.

“It was a time when the nation came together,” Vest said. “At that point in time, it didn’t matter what color skin you had, what faith you were … at the end of the day, we’re all Americans.”

Ken Sanford, an education adjunct professor, was teaching middle school at the time. He said it is important to remember major events that happened in the country.

“It’s got a special place in my heart to remember the people and the families [affected by the tragedy since] every year they have to remember this,” Sanford said.

Christian McCowan, a liberal studies freshman, is too young to remember the attacks, however, she felt it was important to plant a flag and pray.

“With every tragedy, you don’t want to forget those who were lost,” McCowan said. “It’s hard to imagine so much went down that day and so many lives were lost. I feel that people can feel prayer wherever they are. Hopefully my flag, whatever name it may represent, sends peace out to that family, because they are probably still dealing with that grief.”

CBU Gallery to host “Into the Mystic” exhibit

Artist Steve Dzerigian’s “Construction XVI” will be one of the more than 30 art pieces on display at the “Into the Mystic: The Quest of Six West Coast Artists” exhibit at California Baptist University’s Gallery.

The CBU Gallery in downtown Riverside will host an exhibit titled “Into the Mystic: The Quest of Six West Coast Artists” from Sept. 20 – Nov. 19.

Gordon Fuglie, guest curator for the CBU exhibit, said the themes displayed in the art remind him of the Apostle John’s contrast of light and darkness in a spiritual sense: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5 NASB).

“I believe that encouragement for this artistic quest (spiritual enlightenment) lies within us, and is a striving born within our consciousness as human beings. Some would say that it comes from an inner light emanating from a greater power,” said Fuglie, who is the director and head of curatorial affairs at the Central California Museum of Art.

An artists reception will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.

New students focus on faith as classes begin at CBU

Hundreds of members of the Class of 2020 at California Baptist University officially started their classes on Sept.6. For many, faith was a key reason they chose CBU.

Amelia Horton, from Hemet, California and a biology pre-med major, indicated she chose CBU because of the sense of family and God’s presence she felt on campus during prior visits.

“I’m looking forward to making a lot of friends and meeting people who are as eager as I am to get plugged in,” Horton said. “I love that I feel that God is so present here.”

Levi Hargrove, from Istanbul, Turkey, and a nursing major, said he wants to grow in his faith and looked forward to speaking with professors that shared his Christian faith.

“I’m looking forward to interacting with professors on a deeper level than high school,” Hargrove said.

Phillip Ndowu, from Nashville, Tennessee, and a biology pre-med major, appreciates the fact that CBU encourages and enables conversations about faith.

“I’m looking forward to being able to openly have conversations about God (with his peers),” Ndowu said.

CBU offers many opportunities for students to grow in their faith, including chapel services featuring respected Christian leaders; the integration of faith and learning in the classroom; discipleship ministries that aim to show students how to live out the Great Commission; and numerous local and international service opportunities.

John Montgomery, dean of Spiritual Life, said college is a crucial time for students to form their identity.

“Traditionally students decide who they are and who they will be during these highly formative years, and they are making their faith their own,” Montgomery said. “They are looking for opportunities to discuss their thoughts and find guidance from Scripture. As a result, many students either make a [new] commitment to follow Christ or make a previous commitment stronger.”

Oxford project inspires prof to pursue religion-science dialogue

Dr. Erin Smith wants to bring more conversation about religion and science to the campus of California Baptist University.

Smith, assistant professor of psychology, said God has provided two ways to know truth—scripture and science.

“To get a better understanding of God, his creation and the relationship between God and his creation, those different methods of knowing truth need to be in conversation with each other,” Smith said.

Smith spent four weeks at the Oxford Summer Seminar in England over the past two summers, participating in the Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities 2015-16 project. The seminar was geared toward equipping professors with the interdisciplinary skills required to enhance the science-religion dialogue on their campuses. Smith was one of 25 faculty participants from universities throughout the world at the seminar.

Additionally, this summer the seminar invited presidents of participating schools to attend. Dr. Ronald L. Ellis represented CBU at the conference. The goal was to discuss how to continue the science-religion dialogue on college campuses, Smith said.

Last year Smith created a science and religion club at CBU with the goal of providing a place where students can explore the connections and tensions between science and religion. This fall, Smith will be teaching a new course “Cognitive Science and the Human Person” (Psy401), which looks at the issues cognitive science (study of thought, learning and mental organization) raises and how it influences the definition of what it is to be human.

Beyond influencing the campus culture, Smith also is collaborating with fellow seminar participants to seek grants and to conduct research on this topic.

“The conservation isn’t over. It doesn’t end with the end of the seminar,” Smith said. “I’m actually trying to strengthen [the students’] faith by giving them the freedom to ask questions.”

The seminar was hosted by Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford, a United Kingdom subsidiary of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust.

Newest members of Lancer Nation arrive for Welcome Weekend

More than 1,800 freshmen and transfer students arrived at California Baptist University as newcomers during Welcome Weekend, Sept. 2-4. Within days, however, they emerged as members of the Lancer Nation thanks to a full schedule of activities.

“Welcome Weekend is an opportunity for us officially to welcome our new Lancers to the community and help them make connections with the campus community, with the university, with fellow classmates and with Christ,” said Heather Hubbert, assistant dean of students-assessment and conduct.

First on the Welcome Weekend schedule was move-in opportunities. As students arrived on campus with carloads of luggage, CBU student leaders lined up next to the living areas prepared to help the newest Lancers move in. They carried boxes and televisions, and pushed rolling bins full of clothes and other items.

“The move-in experience was amazing,” said Anna Ent, from the San Francisco Bay area, who moved into The Cottages. “Everybody came right up to my car and unloaded everything and I didn’t have to do anything. I carried one bag.”

Additional weekend activities included a picnic on the Front Lawn, a welcome from CBU President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, an opportunity to meet with faculty members, a Quakes minor league baseball game, and a special discount shopping opportunity at Bed Bath and Beyond. Students also met in FOCUS groups, which help acclimate students to campus life. They also participated in the Kugel walk, a CBU tradition where new students touch the Kugel (a massive floating granite globe) symbolizing their commitment to live a life of purpose as they begin their college experience at CBU.

“We are very intentional in what we do so that they do feel connected,” said Jay Stovall, director of new student programs and orientation.

Collin Magness, a nursing major from Fresno, California, was eager to become part of the CBU family.

“I’m really looking forward to the new experiences and seeing what doors God opens up for me,” he said.

Parents and guests also were able to attend some of the events.

“I think it helps the parents feel good about their choice and feel good about leaving their son or daughter here,” Hubbert said. “We try our best to give the parents a glimpse into what the CBU community and culture is all about.”

Mike Row, from Corona, California, said he attended the Academic Open House with his daughter, Shaelyn, a theatre major, to get some questions answered. The CBU community has been “awesome” he said afterward.

“She has been welcomed with open arms,” Row said. “It doesn’t feel like you’re bringing a freshman in, it feels like you’re bringing a new member to the family.”

New class explores the changing role of women in art

The “Women in the Arts” (ART 381) class, offered for the first time this fall at California Baptist University, will seek to analyze the evolution of women both as the subjects and the creators of art.

“We have a lot of female students in the visual arts and it’s important for them to know the history [of women artists] and to know where they’re going to fit in that trajectory,” said Dr. Katherine Papineau, assistant professor of architecture and art history, who will teach the course.

The new class was added as part of the upper division elective options for the art history minor in the College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design.

Historically, artists–—particularly painters, drawers, sculptors and architects—were mostly men, Papineau said. Accepted art forms for females were limited to needlepoint and embroidery. If women did paint, Papineau said, they did not do portraits; but that mindset changed in the 20th century and in modern times, women are creating all forms of art.

Papineau said gender is no longer an issue when it comes to creating art.

“Today, women are painting everything and anything, and they’re engaging with political themes and racial themes. The door is wide open, which is really nice to see,” Papineau said.

Family Updates

Dr. Barry Parker, librarian, had an interview with 710 WOR-AM radio in New York City about his book, Phantom Revelation, that aired on June 26. The novel is a mystery/romance.

Dr. Candace Vickers

Margaret Appenzeller

Margaret Appenzeller, visiting professor of communication disorders, and Dr. Candace Vickers, associate professor of communication disorders, presented at the annual Headstart Conference for San Bernardino at the Ontario Convention Center on Aug. 24. The name of the presentation was Magic Moments for Language Learning.

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai

Dr. Yeesock Kim

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering, Dr. Yeesock Kim, associate professor of construction management and civil engineering, co-authored a paper titled Fragility Analysis of Bridge Structures Subjected to Collision Forces. It was presented at the 5th International Symposium on Reliability Engineering and Risk Management in Seoul, Korea, on Aug. 17-20 and received the Distinguished Paper Award from the symposium committee. Bai also co-authored and presented a paper titled Sensitivity Analysis of Shear Capacity Model for Concrete Members with Internal Composite Reinforcement.

Dr. Kyle Stewart

Dr. Kyle Stewart, assistant professor of physics, gave a presentation of his research at the 2016 UCSC Galaxy Formation Workshop in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Aug. 12. His talk was titled High Angular Momentum Halo Gas: a Code and Feedback-Independent Prediction of LCDM.

Dr. Robert Shields

Dr. Robert Shields, assistant professor of computer information technology for the Online and Professional Studies, successfully defended his dissertation on Aug. 31 for the Doctor of Education degree at California State University, Fullerton.

Dr. Marc Weniger

Dr. Marc Weniger, associate professor of business, completed a new textbook, International Marketing, published by Kendall Hunt.

Dr. James Yoo

Dr. James Yoo, assistant professor of economics, co-authored a paper that was published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy on Sept. 6. The title of the paper was An externality of groundwater depletion: land subsidence and residential property prices in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Andrew Herrity

Dr. Andrew Herrity, professor of entrepreneurship and director of CBU’s new program in Entrepreneurship, presented information on the new program to the Riverside Technology CEOs Forum on Sept. 6.

Current News

CBU dean leads team of experts writing on “The Love of God”

Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University, recently finished editing “The Love of God,” which will be released by Crossway publishing on Sept. 30.

The book is the seventh volume in the series “Theology in Community” that aims to unpack the biblical and theological teachings on historic and contemporary theological issues. Morgan, who is also a professor of theology at CBU, has served as general editor for each of the volumes.

Morgan said the goal of the book is to present a biblical view of the love of God from the perspectives of the Old Testament, New Testament, biblical theology, systematic theology, apologetics, missions and social justice.

“The Love of God” is written for thoughtful church members, pastors, as well as college and seminary students, Morgan said.

“We can have a tendency to make love (only) about ourselves,” Morgan said. “We need to view love in light of God and the Bible’s own teaching.”

Morgan assembled a team to write on issues such as: “Distorting the Love of God?”; “Is the God of the Old Testament a God of Love?”; and “How Does God’s Love Inspire Social Justice?” The book has 10 chapters.

“One of the things I’ve enjoyed the most in this project is finding high caliber experts in their disciplines that could come together to write about the love of God and address important current questions,” Morgan said.

Morgan also contributed a chapter, “How Does the Trinity’s Love Shape our Love for One Another?” He said the ultimate purpose of every Christian’s life is to bring glory to God, but that many never consider how Jesus’ command to love others brings glory to God. Morgan’s essay seeks to address how and why love for one another is shaped by the love of the Trinity.

For Morgan, the love of God is a boundless topic.

“I’ve been captured by the love of God. God’s love is infinite in its depths and heights and I’m fascinated to see how it relates to everything in the Christian life,” Morgan said.

Lancers dominate at national cheer competition

The cheer team at California Baptist University scored higher than any other female or coed team from all NCAA teams—including Division I—at the National Cheerleaders Association/USA Cheer Collegiate Camp.

The Lancers accumulated 148 points, which qualified the Lancers to compete in the upcoming nationals held in April in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Lancers will be aiming for their unprecedented fifth-straight title.

“It’s so rewarding to watch this team come together quickly and learn how to be great teammates both on and off the mat,” said Tami Fleming, head coach of CBU cheer. “I feel confident that this year will be one of our best yet, and we will work hard to continue staying at the top of our game.”

Professor hopes book on persecution will “edify” Christian faith

Dr. Greg Cochran realizes persecution may not be an easy read, but he hopes his forthcoming book will help believers develop their faith.

Cochran, associate professor of theology and director of the applied theology program at California Baptist University, said persecution is inevitable for Christians. His aim is to help the church understand what their faith teaches on persecution.

His book, “Christians in the Crosshairs: Persecution in the Bible and Around the World Today,” is set to be released Nov. 1 by Weaver Book Company. In it, Cochran breaks down persecution into three sections: “The Meaning and Magnitude of Christian Persecution”; “The Biblical Portrait of Persecution”; and “The Implications and Practical Applications (of persecution).”

“One of the most surprising aspects of studying persecution has been its effect on me. I thought I would be dour and woeful—defeated—after hearing of great suffering,” Cochran said. “The opposite is true. The gospel—with its resurrection power—is able to take the worst situations and reframe them in victory. Hearing stories of triumph through suffering has been nothing short of glorious.”

In his book, Cochran defines persecution as a hostile, retaliatory action in response to the revelation of Christ and/or His Righteousness.

“We are united with and connected to Christians all over the world who are persecuted,” Cochran said. “You’ll be glad that you read it, you’ll be glad that you understand it and your faith will be edified because of it. That’s my hope.”

For Cochran, knowing people are being persecuted for their faith has made him more thankful for God’s simple blessings.

“I really want to enjoy the simple things, the real blessings of life that God has given me, and it’s helped me do that,” he said.

Lancer 5000 brings running enthusiasts to CBU

More than 200 runners and walkers participated in the 6th annual Lancer 5000 on the campus of California Baptist University on Aug. 20.

Organized by CBU’s track and cross country program and sponsored by Lexus of Riverside, the event featured a 5K at 7:15 a.m., followed by a 1K Kiddie Run at 7:45 a.m. Awards were presented to the top five overall male and female runners. Proceeds went to the CBU cross country and track program.

The top five female runners were Megan Crum, who ran a time of 18:42.746, followed by Raizah Singh (19:14.286), Arian Mayorga (20:17.513), Natalie Cuellar (21:21.123) and Ahris Mayorga (22:25.450).

The top five male runners were Erik Gonzalez, who ran a time of 15:11.426, followed by Kevin Ramos (15:19.110), Michael Ramirez (16:17.363), Dalton Seckinger (16:33.540) and Jacob Moran (16:37.136).

“This is a wonderful opportunity to provide an enjoyable race for our community,” said Benjamin Gall, head coach for men’s and women’s cross-country and track at CBU. “It is also an opportunity to showcase our campus.”

Gall said the event was scheduled in August to spark interest in the upcoming CBU cross-country season that starts Sept. 2 with the Lancer Invite. Additionally, local high school teams are gearing up for their seasons, and this event offered a unique preseason opportunity.

Catherine Lua, a senior and cross-country runner at Jurupa Hills High School, said she was looking to run a good time at the Lancer 5000.

“I enjoy competition and it’s neat to be able to tune up on the campus of California Baptist University,” said Lua, who starts her season next month.

Alejandra Herrera, a high school student and resident of Fontana, Calif., said she signed up for the race as a new experience.

“This is the first 5K race I’ve been in,” said Herrera. “I’m enjoying the atmosphere.”

Student’s heart for foster kids leads her to launch nonprofit

For Natalie Dixon, a graphic design senior at California Baptist University, helping foster kids is her Great Commission service.

Dixon is the founder of Rose Again Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists foster children through a variety of programs. This summer the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce recognized the efforts and success of Dixon by nominating her foundation for a Non-Profit of the Year award. Additionally, Dixon has also been nominated for the national Roslyn S. Jaffe Award, given to individuals that are seeking to make the world a better place for women and children.

Dixon’s passion for her current ministry was ignited as a high school student when she went on a trip, with her dad, to a Christian orphanage in Guatemala.

“I had never been to a place in the world that was so poor,” Dixon recalled. “Yet these were some of the most joy-filled kids that I had ever met.”

Dixon came back with a desire to help kids in need, and she ultimately set her sights on foster children. After researching and interviewing foster families and children to discover their needs, she, with the help of her family and friends, started the Rose Again Foundation in 2013. The name comes from a combination of Dixon’s middle name and her desire to see kids “rise again” out of their circumstances and become wholesome individuals.

“It felt like God opened all these doors,” Dixon said.

The nonprofit serves Southwest Riverside County. Some of the programs Dixon has incorporated into her organization include Kids of Summer that funds extra-curricular activities; Bless the Children that provides gifts during the Christmas season; and the Thrive Boxes initiative that gives 18-year-olds, who have aged out of the foster system, household goods. Additionally, this past spring, for the first time, the foundation offered two scholarships for college.

The Rose Again Foundation holds fundraisers, applies for grants and receives donations from individuals and organizations to pay for its programs.

The CBU community also has helped Dixon along her journey of launching the foundation. When a professor learned the nonprofit needed a logo, he made that part of an assignment in a design class. An art professor has offered Dixon art for a fundraiser. Dixon’s husband, Jeffrey Dixon, is a CBU nursing major, and the School of Nursing has made some of the foundation’s events a volunteer opportunity for nursing students.

Dixon said she hopes by providing for the children’s needs it will help in their overall well-being.

“The foundation was founded on the basis of loving these kids like Christ loves us,” Dixon said.

Family Updates

Dr. Elizabeth Morris

Dr. Elizabeth Morris, associate provost for accreditation, assessment, and curriculum, is a senior contributor for an online textbook Algebra, a zyBook to be used as a college STEM textbook replacement. The textbook was published in March 2016 in part by support from the National Science Foundation. She also worked on extended material for a new edition of the book that came out at the end of August.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program in the College of Health Science received notice on Aug. 10 that it has been awarded candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. The first cohort of 25 students in the new master’s program in speech-language pathology begins classes this fall. There were many people across CBU who contributed to the efforts. The faculty would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. David Pearson, dean of the College of Health Science, and Lisa Schwartz, department secretary for the Department of Public Health Sciences.

Evoke Magazine, a student produced CBU/Online and Professional studies publication, won a “Gold Hermes Creative Award” for the second edition of the magazine. The editorial team is made up of CBU/Online public relations and graphic design students. Dr. Mary Ann Pearson, chair of arts and sciences and associate professor of public relations, and Sam Park, assistant professor of graphic design and digital media, both for Online and Professional Studies, serve as faculty advisers for the publication, which is published annually.

Marilyn Moore, associate professor of sociology, spoke Aug. 20, Aug. 22 and Aug. 26 at recruitment orientations for Sunburst Youth Academy (SYA), a residential program for 16-18-year-old high school dropouts run by the National Guard in Los Alamitos. CBU hosts recruitment orientations and CBU students also have opportunity to volunteer as mentors for the program’s participants.

Dr. Lesley Mayne

Dr. Lesley Mayne, assistant professor of communication disorders, presented at the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) conference in Toronto, Canada, Aug. 8-11. The title of her presentation was Developing Participation: An AAC Model for Practitioners, Parents, and Children.

From left: Mary Sorola (’10), Jackson Brown (’14) and Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan. Sorola and Brown are serving as research assistants on the project.

Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, and her team have worked on the documentation of the Malawian Sign Language and the completion of an online Malawian Sign Language dictionary. They presented their work at the International Educational Conference at Chancellor College in Zomba, Malawi, on July 27.

Dr. Julie Browning

Dr. Julie Browning, associate professor of accounting, presented two papers at the American Accounting Association’s Conference in New York on Aug. 6. The papers were titled How to get on the job experience before applying for a job and How to engage and retain principles-level accounting students in online courses.

Dr. Gretchen Bartels

Dr. Gretchen Bartels, assistant professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, had a poem, “Yellowing Pages,” published in KAIROS, an online literary magazine (Volume 1 Issue 1).

Dr. Rod Foist

Dr. Rod Foist, professor of electrical and computer engineering, presented a paper at the 2016 FYEE (First Year Engineering Experience) conference at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, July 31-Aug. 2. The paper, co-authored with Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, was titled An Improved “Intuitive Calculus” Project, Using Electronic Filters, for a First-Year Engineering Math Laboratory.

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering, co-authored a paper titled Probabilistic Shear Capacity Models for Concrete Members with Internal Composite Reinforcement, which was published in August issue of the Journal of Composites for Construction.

Dr. Monica O’Rourke

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, visiting professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, spoke at Belmont University College of Pharmacy in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 23. She presented on the recent American Heart Association updates on cardiac resuscitation and assisted in life support training for 85 doctoral students.

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, visiting professor of kinesiology, left, and Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the School of Engineering, right, with Jurupa Unified administrators.

CBU hosted Jurupa Unified School District’s Superintendent Committee along with college and career counselors from Jurupa Unified Schools on Aug. 16. The visit was part of a collaboration initiative with CBU and school district’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics college readiness programs. Kent Dacus, vice president for Enrollment and Student Services, and Dr. Dirk Davis, associate vice president of academics for Online and Professional Studies, the directors of college admissions and athletics, and the deans, directors and chairs in College of Health Science, School of Nursing, College of Engineering, and Online and Professional Studies hosted the group.

From left: Margaret Marquez and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis

Margaret Marquez, accounting clerk II for Facilities and Planning Services, has been chosen Employee of the month for September. The nomination form included the following statements: “Margaret works well with other departments on campus and with vendors/contractors who are checking their invoice status. She’s an exemplary employee with a true servant’s heart. Margaret has consistent, excellent work product. She’s always willing to take on new tasks without hesitation. She’s organized, thorough and has an eye for detail.”

Dr. Glenn Pickett

Dr. Glenn Pickett, associate professor of music, presented at the Disney Performing Arts Inspiring Brilliance conference, held at Disneyland, Aug. 12-13. His presentation was titled The Eyes Have It! To end the presentation, he had two CBU master’s degree students, Amanda Tabora and Traivon Williams, sing as a demonstration of effective use of eye contact in a performance.

Beth Groves

Beth Groves, assistant professor of public administration for Online and Professional Studies, presented at a Leadership Training Retreat sponsored by Soroptimist International of the Americas Golden West Region, held in Ontario on Aug. 20. Her presentation was titled Lighthouse Leadership.

Dr. Natalie Winter

Dr. Natalie Winter, associate professor of marketing, spoke to the Business in Action group of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 10. Her presentation, titled Millennials: Mystery or Mavericks, provided insights to local businesses on how to engage millennial customers.

Frank Mihelich

Frank Mihelich, assistant professor of theatre, attended the national conference for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education in Chicago on Aug. 10-15. He participated in a panel discussion titled Small Christian Theatre Programs in Motion: A Panel and Discussion Exploring Play Selection, Copyright, Administration and Audience Relations.

Current News

Women’s basketball heads to Taiwan to prep for new season

California Baptist University women’s basketball team has headed overseas to Taiwan for a unique opportunity to tune-up for the 2016-17 season.

The Lancers will take on international competition including the National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport on Aug. 17; Dankook University (South Korea) on Aug. 18; and Fo Guang University (Taiwan) on Aug. 19. The games are part of an exhibition tournament.

Expectations for the Lancers are once again high this season with a majority of their roster returning. The Lancers are coming off a PacWest regular season finish where the team put together a program’s best 21-game winning streak and also had an undefeated record at home (14-0).

Additionally, Lancers head coach Jarrod Olson was named the PacWest Coach of the Year and junior point guard Cassidy Mihalko was awarded an All-American honors.

The Lancers will officially kick off their season at the D2 Tip-off Classic on Oct. 4 at the Santiago Canyon College Athletic Complex in Orange, Calif.

CBU to offer new bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship

Attention, inquiring minds and problem solvers: California Baptist University has developed a new major with you in mind. The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business will offer a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship starting in the fall.

Dr. Andrew Herrity, entrepreneurship program director, said the program aims to equip students to become well-prepared entrepreneurs with a heart to solve problems.

“We want our students to be problem solvers, to think about how to care and serve our communities better,” Herrity said. “While profit is an important part of operating a business, at its heart entrepreneurship is about providing solutions that benefit society.”

Students majoring in entrepreneurship will also be required to minor in one of 40 different options available at CBU.

“Since entrepreneurs are unique individuals, we thought it would be a good idea to offer something unique to this program in a way of the minor requirement,” Herrity said. “Gaining knowledge in an industry is an important part of establishing a business.”

Herrity sees a correlation between minors and new ventures. He envisions computer science minors developing the next app, or a visual arts minor starting a design company.

Upper division courses will encourage students’ creativity and identify what they are passionate about, Herrity said.

Herrity also noted that most entrepreneurs do not initially start working for themselves. Instead, they learn on the job and then venture out after gaining some understanding of an industry. That is why CBU still requires 30 units of business administration in both lower and upper division courses, he noted.

“With our Christian worldview at CBU, we believe that we are all created in the image of God, who is a creator, and we want students to take that creativity and start ventures that will be beneficial to others,” Herrity said.

Engineering 101 prepares new students for academia, vocation

A foundation for academic and vocational success awaits new students enrolling in the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at California Baptist University this fall. More than 200 new engineering students are expected in the fall, and one of the first courses they will encounter is EGR101, Engineering Christian Worldview.

“It’s a course where students can cast a vision for their life as a CBU engineering student and as a graduate,” said Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the College of Engineering.

Donaldson teaches a portion of the course dedicated to understanding a Christian worldview. Engineers are to be a part of solving problems, he said.

“Engineers are called to serve. They are called to use the talents that God has given them to solve problems in society,” Donaldson said.

The other components help students prepare for the academic rigor, such as how to study, organize time and understand the various teaching styles.

The students also learn to work as a team and be part of a community, said Dr. Matthew Rickard, professor of bioengineering.

“It’s also part of what it is to be a Christian… being part of a community and helping others,” Rickard said.

A majority of engineering students have the same curriculum the first year. Additional courses include a seminar class, which summarizes the 10 majors offered at CBU and an engineering service class, where the students complete30 hours of service work.

These classes contribute to the university’s goal of helping the students find their purpose in life, Donaldson said.

CBU Aviation Unmanned Systems degree set to launch this fall

Drones will be invading California Baptist University this fall. The Department of Aviation Science is set to launch a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Unmanned Systems.

Whether referred to as drones, unmanned aerial systems, or unmanned aerial vehicles, these remote-controlled aircraft require a pilot with specialized aviation knowledge and skills as well as an understanding of federal regulations, said Paul Haley, assistant professor of aviation at CBU.

“The new degree is relevant today due to the rapid increase in worldwide use of the various types of remotely piloted aircraft,” Haley said.

Haley said employment opportunities in the unmanned aircraft industry are numerous. For instance, large-scale, piloted unmanned aerial systems currently are being used to assist firefighters, scientists, search and rescue teams and government agencies. Smaller remote-piloted aircraft are being used in the real estate, film, agricultural, medical and oil industries.

“Graduates of the aviation unmanned systems major will enter the workforce as instrument-rated commercial pilots and will help meet the need in this rapidly developing industry for qualified unmanned systems pilots,” Haley said.

Family Updates

Students observe an exothermic reaction and record temperature data during a mathematical modeling course for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

Kevin J. Cotton, adjunct professor of mathematics, taught a course on mathematical modeling to high school students for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. The center identifies young people of great academic promise and then develops their intellect and personal growth. The first session took place in Santa Cruz, and the second was in Easton, Penn. The sessions ran June 23-Aug 6.

Dr. Derek Updegraff, assistant professor of English and creative writing, published a collection of short fiction titled The Butcher’s Tale and Other Stories. The book was published by Stephen F. Austin State University Press and is distributed by the Texas A&M University Press Consortium.

Dr. Daniel Prather

Dr. Daniel Prather, professor of aviation science, taught a two-day Advanced Airport Safety and Operations Specialist School on July 30-21 to 40 airport professionals. It was part of the American Association of Airport Executives Airfield and Facilities Management conference in Boise, Idaho.

Dr. Hyun-Woo Park

Dr. Dennis Bideshi

Dr. Hyun-Woo Park, professor of biology, and Dr. Dennis K. Bideshi, professor of biology, presented co-authored papers at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology in Tours, France, on July 24-28. The papers were titled, A binB knockout in Lysinibacillus sphaericus demonstrates BinA can form a crystal without BinB in Bacillus thuringiensis and Lysinibacillus sphaericus binary toxin structure revealed in situ by de novo phasing with an X-ray free-electron laser: Insights into the larvicidal biology of BinA and BinB. Bideshi also was co-author of a poster presentation titled Comparison of genome replication rates of fast-killing versus slow-killing SfAV isolates.

From left: Eric Mendoza and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis

Eric Mendoza, marketing specialist for Marketing and Communication, has been chosen Employee of the Month for August. The nomination form included the following statements: “Eric has a true servant’s heart and strives to meet and exceed the expectations and goals of the clients for whom he produces videos. He is frequently commended by them for the excellent quality of the products he produces and for his determination to do what is necessary to deliver these products on time.”

From left: Dr. George C. Yao, of National Cheng Kung University and the conference’s keynote speaker, and Dr. Dr. Frederick Pontius

Dr. Frederick Pontius, professor of civil and environmental engineering, was the moderator for the 2016 International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering, held in Xi’an, China, on July 26-27. Pontius also delivered a paper at the conference titled Chitosan as a Drinking Water Coagulant, which was published July 15, 2016, in the American Journal of Civil Engineering.

Dr. A. Abdelmessih

Dr. Amanie Abdelmessih, professor of mechanical engineering, presented an article, Creation of Undergraduate Engineering Laboratory with Minimal Funding, at the 2016 ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) conference June 26-29 in New Orleans, La. She also moderated the session called M438-Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design. Abdelmessih also served as a track organizer at the 2016 Summer Heat Transfer Conference, held in Washington, D.C., July 10-14. She oversaw the track of Heat Transfer in Electronic Equipment, which included four sessions and a panel. This is the sixth time she served as track organizer/leader, and she received a certificate of appreciation. Abdelmessih and 12 former CBU students also published an article, Design of a Magnetic Cooling Device Using Gadolinium Alloy and Permanent Magnets, in the proceedings of the conference.

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai

Dr. Jong-Wha Bai, associate professor of civil engineering, conducted a seminar on seismic vulnerability and loss estimation of concrete structures for architectural engineering students at Seoul National University in Korea on July 8.

Current News

School of Nursing set to mark decade of training students

The California Baptist University School of Nursing, which marks its 10th anniversary this fall, has developed a prescription for success: qualified and caring faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and vision to improve healthcare outcomes in the community.

Dr. Geneva Oaks, dean of the School of Nursing, has been with the school in various roles since its beginning. She noted the school has a reputation that faculty are committed to student success.

“Students say faculty invest in them personally and care about them as people,” Oaks explained. “It inspires them to be the best nurses they can be.”

This fall, approximately 720 students will be pursuing degrees in five nursing programs, including CBU’s inaugural doctoral program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice. This is dramatic increase from the inaugural 62-student class that enrolled in two programs in 2006. Since its founding, the School of Nursing has graduated more than 760 students.

Oaks said that during the past decade, the university has provided needed resources for learning such as the state-of-the-art Nursing Annex, which opened in 2014

The annex includes faculty offices, skills laboratories, classrooms and a computer laboratory. There is also a state-of-the-art simulation studio that places students in virtual reality scenarios such as administering aid in a village in Thailand or helping patients during in an emergency waiting room after a disaster.

“It is like a wow factor, the innovation and state-of-the-art technology we have,” said Dr. Juliann Perdue, professor of nursing. “The student learning [becomes] evident as they can take their experience in simulation into the patient-care setting.”

Oaks is also mindful of the impact the School of Nursing can have on the community and sees the opportunity to accomplish the university’s mission through service. CBU is the only university in Riverside County that offers a bachelor’s degree and above in nursing.

“Research supports that the [higher] level of education of the nursing workforce translates into better outcomes for patients,” Oaks said. “CBU is here to offer that higher level of education.”

CBU names new dean of Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business

Dr. Andrea Scott

Dr. Andrea Scott has been named dean of the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at California Baptist University. She started her new position on Aug. 1.

Scott brings more than 20 years of experience in research and marketing to her new post. She is also a Fulbright Scholar, having completed a teaching and research grant at the University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2004.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business as it is primed for equipping the next generation of business professionals who are both mindful and competent,” Scott said. “I’m passionate about alumni advocacy and networking and aim to foster reputational excellence of our school for community service and social impact. I look forward to seeing the school serve as the ‘go-to’ business hub not only for the CBU campus, but also a wide range of local enterprises.”

Scott earned her doctorate in marketing from the University of South Florida. She also holds an MBA from Emory University and a bachelor’s degree in visual communication from Wheaton College.

Scott comes to CBU from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management where she has been assistant professor of marketing for the past 12 years. Her teaching areas included marketing management, consumer behavior and marketing communications. She also taught the Case Competition class and served as the main case coach for the Graziadio School. Her previous professional experience includes work in an advertising agency; as a business analyst for Honeywell Inc.; and starting her own business, The Write Touch (marketing consulting services).

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Andrea Scott as dean of the School of Business at CBU,” said Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Her academic background, her professional experience and her desire to connect and engage with the community are an excellent fit for us.”

The School of Business offers a MBA program, four undergraduate majors and three minors. Approximately 550 students attended the school in 2015-2016 academic year.

New dean named for Collinsworth School of Music

Dr. Joseph Bolin

Dr. Joseph Bolin has been named dean of the Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Music at California Baptist University. He assumed his new duties Aug. 1.

Bolin brings more than 20 years of experience as educator, worship pastor, conductor and performer. He most recently was the pastor of worship and arts at Bannockburn Church in Austin, Texas, where he oversaw all music and media programming/staff. He was also a lecturer in conducting and associate director of choral activities at the University of Texas at Austin’s Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music.

“I am excited to be joining the community of CBU and the Collinsworth School of Music,” Bolin said. “(CBU) has an illustrious history of inspiring young musicians to the highest standards of musical excellence. It’s an honor to be part of this legacy and I look forward to playing a role in the expansion of its global influence to the glory of God.”

Bolin earned a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music in choral conducting at The University of Texas at Austin. He received an undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Southern Illinois University.

He has sung with groups such as the Santa Fe Opera, Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Choral Society and The University of Texas at Austin, Chamber Singers.

“Dr. Bolin’s arrival at CBU comes at an incredibly important time for the Collinsworth School of Music,” said Dr. Charles Sands, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “His professional performance experience and his leadership as a worship pastor are in perfect alignment with where we are headed with this program. We are very excited to have him join us here at CBU!”

The School of Music offers a Master of Music program with four concentrations, six majors and one minor. More than 115 students attended the school in 2015-2016 academic year and hundreds more participated in the school’s performance groups.

College of Engineering introduces students to fields of study

From left: Nathan Castro, of Ayala High School, Rana Eltahir, of Claremont High School, and Royce D’souza, of Deira International School, perform a distillation experiment during an introductory engineering course held at CBU for high school students.

Wearing goggles and surrounded by lab equipment, the high school students measured fluids, checked temperatures and wrote notes as they learned about distillation. That is just one of the many things the students experienced during an introductory engineering course at California Baptist University.

Engineering Innovation, a four-week summer course developed by Johns Hopkins University, was offered at 14 sites nationwide. Five students from the Inland Empire and two international students attended the program at CBU’s Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering, June 27-July 22.

The course covered several areas of engineering, including materials science, chemical, electrical, computer and civil. The program exposed the students to the various fields and what it is like to be an engineering student, said Dr. Mario Oyanader, associate professor of chemical engineering, who taught the course.

“The whole program is for high school students who would like to explore engineering as a college discipline and a future career,” Oyanader said.

The course included lectures and hands-on projects, such as designing and constructing a circuit to control a robotics car and building a bridge with uncooked spaghetti. The students also learned about ethics and teamwork.

“We give them that [teamwork] environment here because it’s part of what they have to learn in engineering school,” Oyanader said. With ethics, “they have to know engineering is not just numbers. It has to do with morals and your behavior.”

Rana Eltahir, who will be a senior at Claremont High School, found electrical and mechanical engineering attracted her the most. The program confirmed her decision to pursue engineering.

“Every time we do a lecture, I’m very interested,” she said. “When it comes to (engineering), I’m always engaged. Every day is something new and something different.”

Family Updates

Dr. Kenneth Minesinger

Dr. Kenneth Minesinger, associate professor of law for Online and Professional Studies, served as issue editor for the State Bar of California Business Law Journal. Available now, Issue 2, 2016 focused on insolvency law.

Dr. Seung-Jae Kim

Dr. Seung-Jae Kim, associate professor of bioengineering, co-authored a paper with CBU student Ruthie Muqatach titled Effects of Visual Feedback on Treadmill Walking Speed.It was published in the July issue of International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

The picture shows the theme and give-away for the event. The message in the bottle is the conference verse for the week.

Janet Crate, special events and volunteer coordinator for University Advancement, and Carrie Smith, alumni and parent communications manager for University Advancement, made a presentation at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities Alumni Professionals Conference held July 18-22 in Santa Barbara at Westmont College. Their Event Tips and Tricks for the Reluctant Party Planner showed new ways to approach university events.

Dr. William Flores

Dr. William Flores, associate professor of Spanish, presented a paper at the 98th annual conference of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese held in Miami, Fla., on July 8-11. The paper was titled Ecosophies and the Apocalyptic Imagination in One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Gary Steward, adjunct professor of history and government for Online and Professional Studies, wrote the entry on Stuart Robinson for Religion and Politics in America: An Encyclopedia of Church and State in American Life (ABC-CLIO, 2016).

Dr. Barry Parker

Dr. Barry Parker, librarian, recently published This Heaven on Kindle. The literary fiction book is the first in a series titled Jacob’s world.

Dr. DawnEllen Jacobs, associate provost for faculty development, traveled with her husband, Richard, daughter Kimberly Jacobs (‘13) and sister-in law Jane to Quito, Ecuador, July 6-17 on a music outreach project. They were part of a group of 40 instrumentalists from churches across the U.S. that provided outreach concerts in churches across Quito. The group also hosted a band camp and a musical VBS for a local school.

A delegation of 12 Taiwanese professors from Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) visited CBU July 6-26. Dr. Larry Linamen, vice president for Global Initiatives, has a long-standing relationship with the president of CYCU, a private university in Taiwan. The purpose of the visit was for CYCU to gain insight about the American education system and course design. CBU will be sending four Teach Abroad Program teachers and two faculty to CYCU this summer to teach for 2 1/2 weeks. Carla Liu, assistant professor of English and TESOL, provided sessions on course and syllabus design.

Dr. Monica O’Rourke

Dr. Monica O’Rourke, visiting professor of kinesiology for Online and Professional Studies, volunteered at the Pro Watercross National Racing Series held in Atlantic City, N.J., on July 23-24. Partnering with Team Faith racing ministry, she helped design a cart that provided free Bibles and free healthy fruit smoothies to the professional watercraft racers, mechanics and fans.

Dr. Thomas Ferko

Marilyn Panaro

Dr. Patrick Schacht

Dr. Alex Chediak

Dr. Jim Buchholz

Dr. Thomas Ferko, professor of chemistry, Marilyn Panaro, lecturer in biology, Dr. Patrick Schacht, assistant professor of biochemistry, Dr. Alex Chediak, professor of engineering and physics, and Dr. Jim Buchholz, professor of mathematics and physics, led a science workshop for high school science teachers in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. The workshop, held July 11-15, was part of a California Mathematics & Science Partnership Grant. CBU is the lead institute of higher education on the grant and Buchholz is the principle investigator.

Dr. Alan Fossett

Dr. Melissa Antonio

Dr. Jim Buchholz

Dr. Thomas Ferko

Dr. Thomas Ferko, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Jim Buchholz, professor of mathematics and physics, moderated the Teaching Science and Faith Sessions at the annual American Scientific Affiliation Meeting held July 21-25 at Azusa Pacific University. Buchholz and conference chair Michael Everest of Westmont chose which teaching papers to admit to the conference from the abstracts submitted. Dr. Melissa Antonio, assistant professor of biology, participated in a panel and helped plan and organize three panel discussions. She participated in the panel Christian Women in Science, which discussed experiences as a woman working in the science and how to encourage future female students to pursue careers in the science. Dr. Alan Fossett, professor of chemistry, also attended the event.

Featured speakers and hosts at the conference included (from left): Jessica H.F. Chen, of the National Chi Nan University; Timothy Chow, of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Ru-Jen Lin, of LungHwa University of Science and Technology; Vicki Cleveland; and Patrick Andoo Yang, of LungHwa University of Science and Technology.

Vicki Cleveland, director of institutional research, was one of two invited speakers from the U.S. at the Center for Institutional Research Conference at LungHwa University of Science and Technology in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, on June 27-30. Information from her presentation, Building a Culture of Evidence: The Development of Institutional Research at a Growing Private University, was included in a report to the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China for distribution to universities throughout Taiwan.

The California Baptist University Cross Country and Track program will host the Fifth Annual Lancer 5000 sponsored by Lexus to be held at CBU on Aug. 20. Teams made up of 5-7 runners from the same CBU campus department are encouraged to sign up and compete for prizes. For more information, go to www.cbulancers.com/lancer5000?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

From left: Judah, Ezekiel and Silas Patrick Gall

Benjamin Gall, head men’s and women’s cross country/track coach, and his wife, Rachel, welcomed their third son on July 11. Silas Patrick Gall weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21.25 inches. His older brothers are Judah, 5, and Ezekiel, 2.

Current News

Sports analytics major set to launch at CBU in the fall

California Baptist University is offering a new major that promises to be a game changer. This fall CBU will offer a Bachelor of Science in Sports Analytics, the first-of-its-kind offered west of the Mississippi.

Dr. Lisa Hernandez, chair of the department of natural and mathematical sciences, said the new major will be geared toward those who want to make a career in professional sports.

“Sports, like any other major industry, is looking to gain an advantage through analytics,” Hernandez said. “We live in a data-driven era where every click on any site can be potentially used to your advantage. It’s no different on the playing field.”

Hernandez said that throughout mathematic departments in academia, students have been told that majoring in statistics could help land a sports analytics job. However, at CBU there is now an effort to focus on courses and experiences that will better equip a person for this specific field.

Part of the upper division coursework will include a partnership with Lancers Athletics, where students will work closely with coaches and staff to determine statistics that need to be analyzed for various teams. Additionally, an internship will be required pushing students out into the community to gain hands-on experiences.

Hernandez said CBU faculty was a prominent factor in the ability to launch this program.

Dr. Linn Carothers, professor of mathematics and one of the faculty for the new major, has a reputation for using supercomputing to analyze statistics at a high level.

Carothers led the effort to secure two grants at CBU that provide access for faculty and staff to supercomputers located all over the country. CBU faculty can now model, simulate and predict using big sample data that is bootstrapped, or resampled thousands of times from these supercomputers.

“For CBU students, it means that we can train them at the bleeding edge of technology. They can use the most advanced software [available],” Carothers said.

Director aims to create the go-to-place for research at CBU

Faculty, staff and students will have a more comfortable place on campus come fall to explore and conduct research at California Baptist University.

Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology and director of research at the School of Behavioral Sciences, said she envisions the Center for the Study of Human Behavior (CSHB) as the “water-cooler” spot to develop the culture of research at CBU.

Smith said that while CSHB is not new to CBU, it is receiving a makeover this summer.

“We are working to create a more warm psychical space where research can be conducted,” Smith said.

The center will have spaces designated to utilize research methods such as interviews or focus groups. The center will also have computers, cameras and microphones to assist in the research processes.

While the center is housed within the School of Behavioral Sciences, the CSHB is an interdisciplinary facility, and faculty, students, and researchers from across disciplines are encouraged to utilize the center, Smith said.

Smith also envisions the center as a place to host workshops where instructors can share their research findings with other faculty. She wants the place to be a melting pot and birthing place of ideas.

“Sometimes we can be consumed with teaching,” Smith said. “We want the center to be a place to take a break and learn about other projects that are going on at CBU and work on building interdisciplinary collaborations.”

Smith said she also wants graduate programs to know that undergraduates are looking for opportunities to gain experience with conducting research. The center will aim to connect students with research opportunities.

“Undergraduate students can be effective resources for our graduate programs,” Smith said. “They need to pad their resume with research experience, and we can use their help…it can become a mutually beneficial relationship.”

CBU students land fellowships with city, government agencies

Six students from California Baptist University were selected to participate in the inaugural Western Regional Council of Governments (WRCOG) Fellowship Program.

WRCOG focuses on solving issues pertinent to the 17 cities and various agencies it represents throughout the Inland Empire region.

The six students represent a variety of programs at CBU including the master’s in public and business administration and the sociology and environment science majors.

Frisch said his first task will be incorporating infographics and other communication designs into the state of the mayor’s address.

“I’m going into this opportunity thinking how beneficial this could be for me professionally, by learning how to work next to high-ranking government officials,” Frisch said.

The fellowship is in its inaugural year, and CBU was one of two universities selected to recommend students to help fill open positions. Each student will work for a nine-month period, 32-40 hours a week, at a rate of $15-$17 per hour.

Students were selected to various positions based on a combination of factors including their resume, work experience, skill set and performance during an interview.

Laura Acosta, associate director for CBU’s Career Center, said this opportunity allows students unique access to top city and agency officials.

“These fellowships will not only allow students an inside look into specific government and agency roles, but it will also allow them to develop professional connections,” Acosta said.

Students get opportunity to practice health care overseas

Students from California Baptist University work with autistic children in China as part of the Global Health Engagement Program.

Two teams from the College of Health Science at California Baptist University spent three weeks serving communities in China and the Philippines in various healthcare roles.

The trips were part of the Global Health Engagement (GHE) program, which provides students an opportunity to serve in a global healthcare setting while gaining course credit.

“The purpose is to teach the students how their personal and spiritual gifts line up so that they can live their purpose in the world and in the kingdom of God,” said Erik Salley, assistant professor of exercise science and coordinator of GHE.

A team of 12, including nine students, went to the Philippines (June 3 – 24). The team broke up into three groups and each rotated among various health centers, including the Philippine Heart Center, a remote health clinic and a community-based rehab clinic for children with disabilities. The students observed medical professionals and helped staff with physical therapy, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy and athletic training.

Another team of two faculty and five students went to China (May 26 – June 15). This team worked with children with autism and trained teachers, parents and college students how to respond to their specific needs. The team also attended to children who were cancer survivors.

“God opened up so many opportunities for the students to work with children with autism, to use the skills and abilities I don’t even think they knew they had,” said Maggie Appenzeller, visiting professor of communication disorder and a member of the China team. “[The team taught] the kids to play again and to have joy (in the process).”

Family Updates

From left: Elizabeth Olson and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis

Elizabeth Olson, program advisor/clinical coordinator for the School of Education, is CBU’s Employee of the Month for July. The nomination form included the following statements: Elizabeth treats each student that she meets like they are unique and important. She approaches each conversation with enthusiasm. Liz is creative and innovative in bringing new initiatives that benefit the School of Education. She set a goal of increasing outreach and marketing for the credential program.

Dr. Erin Smith

Dr. Erin Smith, assistant professor of psychology, led a workshop on July 5 titled Lessons learned from a year with the science and religion club at the Bridging the Two Cultures of Science and the Humanities project in Oxford, England. The seminar, hosted by Scholarship on Christianity in Oxford and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust, is aimed at developing interdisciplinary skills in science and religion.

Ethan Jack Schneider

Dr. Tom Schneider, assistant professor of English for Online and Professional Studies, and his wife, Rita, welcomed Ethan Jack Schneider on June 27. He weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and measured 20.5 inches.